Filed under: Green, Crossovers/CUVs, GM
GM Sequel will wear a bowtie
During the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, General Motors unveiled a prototype for a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, dubbed the Sequel. At the time, the concept flew under the GM banner, today, the General's vice president of R&D, Larry Burns, announced that the next version will bear the Chevrolet moniker.
The move to badge the fuel-cell vehicle a Chevy is an effort to bring hydrogen power to the masses via its Everyman brand. If GM had decided to place the crossover in one of its luxury divisions, it would give an air of exclusivity that the automaker feels may be detrimental to the future of mass-market fuel-cell vehicles.
The new Sequel is equipped with all-wheel-drive and power is provided by the aforementioned hydrogen fuel-cell system, along with electric motors feeding off of a bank of lithium-ion batteries. Approximately 97 hp will come from the hydrogen fuel cell and 87 hp from the electric motors.
Our friends over at Winding Road have been graciously afforded the first test drive of two fully functional versions of the Chevy Sequel and will be reporting on their experiences in a future issue.
The full press release, along with a few more photos is available after the jump.
[Source: GM via Winding Road]
PRESS RELEASE
GM REINVENTS THE AUTOMOBILE: CHEVROLET SEQUEL IS A BETTER, CLEANER, PETROLEUM-FREE SOLUTION
SAN DIEGO – General Motors today allowed journalists to drive the most technologically advanced automobile ever built – the Chevrolet Sequel, GM's solution to provide the world with a cleaner, petroleum-free vehicle that is better in nearly every way.
"General Motors is proving that advanced technology can remove the automobile from the environmental debate and reduce our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. "Chevy Sequel clearly shows that our vision for the future of the automobile is real and sustainable."
Sequel was introduced in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is the first vehicle in the world to successfully integrate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies such as steer-and brake-by-wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight aluminum structure. It uses clean, renewable hydrogen as a fuel and emits only water vapor.
"Sequel fundamentally changes the DNA of today's automobiles ... exchanging an internal combustion engine, petroleum and mechanical systems for fuel cell propulsion, hydrogen and electrical systems," Burns said. "In Sequel, GM has created a real vehicle that promises to excite customers and lead to long-term, sustainable automotive transportation."
Compared to other fuel cell vehicles, Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles between fill-ups and spirited acceleration, attaining 60 mph in just 10 seconds. Sequel also has all the amenities one would expect in a premium, five-passenger crossover SUV, including impressive styling, a spacious interior and an all-aluminum body and structure designed to meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has a low-profile, skateboard-like chassis that houses all of its main propulsion, braking and chassis components.
"Sequel is a vehicle that is better in nearly every way – quicker, more sure-footed, easier to handle, easier to build and better looking, while being safe and emitting only water vapor," said Burns.
Other benefits include:
- Unequaled control on snow and ice, or uneven terrain
- 70-percent more torque for unparalleled acceleration
- Shorter braking distances
- Ability to "talk" to other vehicles about traffic congestion or road conditions
"Four years ago, our chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner, challenged us to completely rethink the automobile," Burns said. "With the Chevy Sequel, we have now met Rick's challenge by reinventing the automobile and making it real. We've proven a new DNA for vehicles that is viable for the future."
Specifications: GM Chevrolet Sequel
General
Vehicle type: all-wheel-drive crossover vehicle with fuel cell and by-wire technology
Chassis: aluminum substructures
Body: aluminum body / frame integral structure with aluminum panels and aluminum closures
Seating capacity: 4 or 5
Dimensions
Wheelbase (in / mm): 119.7 / 3040
Length (in / mm): 196.6 / 4994
Width (in / mm): 77.4 / 1966
Height (in / mm): 66.8 / 1697
Curb weight (lb / kg): 4774 / 2170
Fuel storage system
Type: 3 carbon composite high-pressure tanks for hydrogen mounted in the sandwich chassis
Service pressure (psi / bar): 10,000 / 700
Storage capacity (lb / kg): 17.6 / 8
Fuel cell power module
Power (kW): 73
Battery system
Type: lithium-ion high-power battery pack
Power (kW): 65
Electric traction system
Front system: 3-phase asynchronous electric motor with integrated power electronics and planetary gear
Power (kW): 65
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 1740 / 2350
Gear ratio: 10.95:1
Rear system: 2 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous, direct drive, electric wheel hub motors
Power (kW): 2 times 25
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 2 times 590/800
Gear ratio: 1:1
Total traction power (kW): 115
Total torque at wheels (lb-ft/Nm): 2920 / 3950
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec): < 10
Top speed (mph / km/h): 90 / 145
Operating range (miles / km): 300 / 480
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Fabulo 3:09AM (9/11/2006)
Power is for dorks, so I'll summarize the important numbers here:
Electric traction system
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 1740 / 2350
Rear system: 2 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous, direct drive, electric wheel hub motors
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 2 times 590/800
Total torque at wheels (lb-ft/Nm): 2920 / 3950
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec): < 10
Operating range (miles / km): 300 / 480
Close to 3000 lb/ft at the wheels? Really? Woohoo!
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all cars look alike 3:22AM (9/11/2006)
terrific design, regardless of the technology. build it and we will, err, come.
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GENERALMOTORSMAN4LIFE 3:39AM (9/11/2006)
I like, I like-Hmmm, maybe it will be parked in the garage next to my new Camaro-we'll see!
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Bassam 3:59AM (9/11/2006)
This approach is a total out of the box solution to the auto oil dependence versus the non-creative and profit driven evolve / improve approach that Toyota adopted in their "Synergy Hyprid" system. GM is proving to have strategic industrial responsibility, congratulations.
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DPC car videos 4:17AM (9/11/2006)
Love the way it looks, it is very different then anything any other company has ever designed.
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ed 7:46AM (9/11/2006)
How much to filler up after you run to rmpty, how far to the hydrogen filling station?
Will the tow to the gas filling ststion be more than the recharge of the tanks?
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Supercujo 8:02AM (9/11/2006)
What is with that interior?
It is just so bland. The exterior has a pretty decent look about it, dare I say even sporty-ish. But that interior with its mass of biege (with added blue highlights) is enough to put anyone to sleep.
Lets see them put a beefed up version of the drivetrain in a Camaro and really have a flagship 'green' muscle car.
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Edsel 8:17AM (9/11/2006)
On-board 10,000 psi hydrogen fuel tanks! Imagine a house fire with one of these vehicles sitting in the garage.
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JZeke 8:19AM (9/11/2006)
Im glad to see an American industry innovating on the technology front, lets hope its built to last too.
On the design front, its clear its (later to market) competitors from Honda at first then the rest will likely beat it in the design war. Nevertheless there will always be a market for simple, utilitarian designs that dont offend.
So score one for GM overall for debuting a shining distant star on this dark holiday of shadows and ghosts.
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Jason 8:31AM (9/11/2006)
Badged as a Chevy? Are you kidding? It's GM... you know it'll be badged as like 5 different models with just a grill and bumper swap.
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Richard Warren 8:50AM (9/11/2006)
Good for them!
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Wildcat0695 8:53AM (9/11/2006)
Bravo GM.
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Corey W. 10:12AM (9/11/2006)
Another good move that makes GM look like they're headed in the right direction.
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Dr. Woo 10:51AM (9/11/2006)
The front has a LOT of holes, but for the most part is an attractive design. It looks high-quality, thankfully with the "single-side-window" look not typical of GM large vehicles (black painted pillars).
It's a styling mishmash of curves and sharp angles, but I think if the wheel wells had been more squarish, it would've been ugly.
I wish this was an indication of Chevy's future styling direction, but I'm sure it's designed so that it is easily distinguished from other GM models, as Toyota's research has found people are more receptive to.
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Kim K 11:03AM (9/11/2006)
I just wonder where everyone thinks the Hydrogen is coming from. Are we moving the emissions from the auto power plant to a coal burning power plant (required to produce the energy to create the Hydrogen)? Not sure that is a positive step, since, last time I looked, the coal burning power plants were a lot dirtier than the current gas powered car power plants. Hopefully, I am missing something.
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Agent 11:09AM (9/11/2006)
Looks nice.
Sort of a next-gen Matrix/Vibe.
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Phil 11:43AM (9/11/2006)
No matter how much I complain, nobody at GM listens.
Here they are again showing their more nimble competitors the blueprint for the future, WHICH TOYOTA AND HONDA WILL ACHIEVE FIRST, FOLLOWED BY A WEAK CATCH-UP EFFORT FROM GM.
THEY NEED SIT THE F*&K DOWN AND SHUT THE F&%K UP AND STOP TRYING TO IMPRESS WALL STREET SUPERNERDS!!!!
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Terrence J. Kurtzweil 11:56AM (9/11/2006)
As a former mechanical designer of fuel cells for Union Carbide Corp., I can't help but wonder how long the fuel cell will last. At least the batteries have a ten year warranty on them, but how about the fuel separator in the fuel cell? How suseptible is it to 'poisoning' by impurities in the hydrogen sources? With new pebble technology availbe for nuclear reactors, including the latest developments of breeder reactors, at Oak Ridge, Tenn. I can forsee hydrogen being produced economically.
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KC 12:15PM (9/11/2006)
I'm not sure about the better in nearly every way part as there are many petrolium powered vehicles that can better this vehicle in nearly every way.
The pickup is impressive but the top speed leave a little to be desired.
300 Mile range is ok but many current internal cumbustion engine cars can do significantly better (400+ mile range)
All in all though it sounds like a good first effort to introduce the technology.
I also am curious how this vehicle performs in various temerature conditions. Do the betteries still deliver a full charge when it's minus 40 degrees outside?
Since this will likely be introduced first in California that shouldn't be a concern though. But how about when it's plus 45 degrees out?
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Jamie 12:23PM (9/11/2006)
8. What is with that interior?
It is just so bland. The exterior has a pretty decent look about it, dare I say even sporty-ish. But that interior with its mass of biege (with added blue highlights) is enough to put anyone to sleep.
Lets see them put a beefed up version of the drivetrain in a Camaro and really have a flagship 'green' muscle car.
Posted at 8:01AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Supercujo 0 stars
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Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
I like GM, but man! Get a better interior! It's nearly a concept car anyways!
That's the blandest sea of beige I've EVER seen! What's up with that???!?!?
GM needs to FIX that pronto!!!
Man!!!
It doesn't have to be futuristic, but is it too hard to ask for even one smidgen of revolutionary--but production-ready--styling?
And for the guy who said this:
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15. The front has a LOT of holes, but for the most part is an attractive design. It looks high-quality, thankfully with the "single-side-window" look not typical of GM large vehicles (black painted pillars).
It's a styling mishmash of curves and sharp angles, but I think if the wheel wells had been more squarish, it would've been ugly.
I wish this was an indication of Chevy's future styling direction, but I'm sure it's designed so that it is easily distinguished from other GM models, as Toyota's research has found people are more receptive to.
Posted at 10:50AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Dr. Woo 0 stars
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Read up on fuel cells, and you'll see what the "holes" are for. I think they vent heat generated through the electrolysis process--and that's a lot of heat.
As for the guy who said this:
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16. I just wonder where everyone thinks the Hydrogen is coming from. Are we moving the emissions from the auto power plant to a coal burning power plant (required to produce the energy to create the Hydrogen)? Not sure that is a positive step, since, last time I looked, the coal burning power plants were a lot dirtier than the current gas powered car power plants. Hopefully, I am missing something.
Posted at 11:00AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kim K 0 stars
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The hydrogen will come from the same place Honda's FCX will get it. NOBODY ever asks this question when Autoblog features the FCX. THey all just go gaga...
A little gaga is in order here too!
But seriously, I suspect that nuclear--or renewable energy will have to be used to "crack" water to produce hydrogen. Seems like a great usage to me. They should try this out in Iceland--or somewhere hot first, so they can use solar/geothermal energy to make the hydrogen to run it on.
Can't wait for carbon nanotubes!!!
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