Cadillac Concept vehicle
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Cadillac shows an electric SUV and design precursor to the BRX.
The Cadillac Provoq concept is a mid-size crossover with two rows of seating, driven by a fuel cell. It is an important vehicle to note at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit for two reasons: It takes GM’s E-Flex powertrain technology to the next level, and it is the first glimpse of a new small SUV for Cadillac, known to date as the BRX.
The five-passenger concept (it actually made its world debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas), uses GM’s E-Flex architecture that burst onto the scene at the 2007 North American International Auto Show with the Chevy Volt.
In this instance, it is a front-wheel-drive electric vehicle with all-wheel-drive capability. The Cadillac concept takes the E-Flex technology propulsion system to the next step—and to a much larger vehicle than the compact Volt.
It also introduces the architecture to Cadillac, which is determined to brand itself as a technology leader, says Nick Zielinski, vehicle chief engineer of advanced system integration, who also worked on the Volt and is overseeing the Chevy Equinox FCV (fuel cell vehicle).
The Provoq has a 70-kW front-drive electric motor and two rear motors of 30 kW each. Zielinski claims it can run from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds and reach 100 mph.
The fuel-cell stack is fifth-generation technology. It is one-third smaller than the previous-gen stack, and it puts out 88 kW. The vehicle has a lithium-ion battery pack, good for 60 kW, and there is a plug for overnight charging.
GM’s hydrogen-storage system of choice is two tanks that hold 13 pounds of compressed hydrogen at 10,000 psi, good for 280 miles of driving, Zielinski says. The batteries add about 20 miles to that range.
Total energy storage is nine kilowatt-hours or four-and-a-half hours of driving, Zielinski says.
There is enough power for a cold start. Once the vehicle is running, the fuel cell kicks in and can take stored energy from the battery as it idles. As the electric-only SUV begins to accelerate, it uses power from the fuel cell, grabbing more juice from the batteries if needed.
The Provoq has a brake-by-wire system and the automaker says it wants to better integrate electric drive and brake by wire, something that has been in the works since the Sequel concept, and Cadillac officials say much of the technology in the new concept was tested on the Sequel, as it is closer in size. The Cadillac is 190 inches long, has a 110-inch wheelbase, and is 65 inches tall and 75 inches wide.
GM is still working to bring down the cost of the battery pack and the fuel-cell stack, with visions of the vehicle actually being viable in 2010, Zielinksi says.
Technology aside, the concept also shows the evolving face of Cadillac, with a new grille and headlamps. But in a nod to the technology, it has active front grille louvers that only open when the fuel stack needs to be cooled; otherwise, they remain closed to improve fuel efficiency, Cadillac officials say.
Even the construction of the wheel spokes and polycarbonate fillers are smooth and flush to improve aerodynamics. To that same end, the mirrors are as small as possible and the door handles pop out with a touch.
Inside, designers set the mood with ambient lighting, and there is evidence of GM’s continuing commitment to quality materials.
Cadillac officials were reluctant to discuss the vehicle platform underpinning the Provoq, but Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager, confirms this is a first look at the BRX crossover. The BRX and a Saab counterpart, the 9-4X, hail from a new front- and all-wheel-drive platform dubbed TE that combines elements of the old Theta global compact-crossover architecture (the original Saturn Vue, Chevy Equinox, and Pontiac Torrent) and the Epsilon global mid-size platform. The new Vue rides on this modified architecture.
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