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Cadillac Provoq
The Cadillac Provoq has provoked much excitement since General Motors
debuted the hydrogen fuel cell concept crossover at the 2008 Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. GM has taken the unusual tactic of
rolling the Cadillac Provoq out at this show ahead of the Detroit
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in order to elicit
interest and engage a whole new group.
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Cadillac Provoq
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The Cadillac Provoq uses a similar E-Flex hybrid system as the Chevy
Volt integrated with the new fifth generation hydrogen fuel
cell system. The system uses a 70 kw co-axial drive system up front
and each rear wheel uses a 40 kw hub motor, generating power and
speed.
The Cadillac Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph with 0 - 60 mph
acceleration of just 8.5 seconds, which is pretty decent for a vehicle
of its size. The Chevy
Equniox fuel cell SUV, by comparison, which General Motors is
using in its Project Driveway program has a 0 - 60 mph acceleration
of 12 seconds.
The Cadillac Provoq has a range of 300 miles, with the first 20
miles accomplished by battery power alone and the next 280 from
the fuel cell and hydrogen tanks. The concept vehicle carries two
10,000 psi hydrogen tanks made of composite storage material located
underneath the cargo floor.
The Cadillac Provoq also uses a lithium-ion battery pack for the
first miles on the vehicle plus an additional 60 kw power burst
if needed to go up hills or pass other vehicles. The Cadillac Provoq
is decidedly a luxury vehicle as its comfortable leather interior
may indicate, but it also has a few other environmentally friendly
features as well.
A solar panel on the roof of the Cadillac Provoq is used to power
the vehicle's audio system, interior lights and other accessories.
Soy-based materials have been used to create the Cadillac Provoq's
headliner. The carpeting is made from recycled jute and polyester.
Besides these green features, the Cadillac Provoq also has a few
other technological features worth noting. For instance, the fuel
cell vehicle uses brake-by-wire technology, the front grille louvers
close at highway speeds to increase aerodynamics and the vehicle
carries a full underbody for the same reason.
The Cadillac Provoq does just what the name indicates. It provokes
thought of technological advances, the feeling of greenness with
its zero emissions and other environmentally friendly features and
the desire to charge full steam ahead into a hydrogen-based future.
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