Cadillac Provoq Concept, 2008

 

 

 

 

 Cadillac Provoq Concept, 2008

The Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept - a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM's commitment to displace petroleum through advanced technology.

The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM's groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

Fuel-cell variant of the E-Flex system
The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy.

A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Key features
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features:

• Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
• Brake-by-wire technology
• Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack

Purposefully dynamic design
The Provoq has a sleek, athletic shape that builds on the second generation of Cadillac's design renaissance, led by the 2008 CTS, with dynamic and purposeful features that support the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and contribute to the vehicle's overall efficiency.

Highlights

• Active front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell stack requires cooling
• Full underbody aerodynamic cover
• Left- and right-hand charging ports incorporated in stylish front fender vents
• Flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation
• Wind tunnel-shaped outside mirrors with integral turn signals
• Center high-mounted rear stop lamp incorporated into full-width, wraparound spoiler
• Signature vertical taillamps with subtle fin design
• Side glass mounted flush with pillars
• Wheels with clear-covered space between the spokes, creating a sleeker profile while maintaining Cadillac's signature bold wheel design
• Low-drag roof rack

Kim points to the fender-mounted charge ports as prime example. They allow overnight, plug-in charging that extends the driving range. The ports have a satin-chrome appearance that incorporates an amber light to indicate the system is charging and a green light to indicate when charging is completed.

The vertical, neon-lit taillamps blend style with functionality, too, as their finned shape was designed to make the Provoq as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

The wheels are wrapped in custom Michelin tires incorporating Green-X technology. These low-rolling resistance tires feature a tread pattern that mimics the "H20" notation for water.

The tire designers and engineers at Michelin North America enthusiastically accepted GM's challenge to create a custom low-rolling resistance tire to complement the energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint of the Cadillac Provoq. During the past 15 years, the tire maker has developed four generations of Michelin green energy-saving tires, and the team's no-compromises approach to the project helped reduce the Provoq's overall fuel consumption without sacrificing road performance, grip and safety.

When used in conjunction with the other energy-efficient solutions featured on the Cadillac Provoq, the benefits of Michelin green energy-saving tires:

• A reduction in the consumer's overall cost of ownership
• An extended vehicle range through a more efficient use of on-board energy and its storage capacity
• A reduction of vehicle impact on the environment through lower CO2 and particulate emissions.

The interior
Like the exterior, the Provoq's interior blends style with function. It seats five and incorporates the comfort, convenience and infotainment features Cadillac customers seek. Most importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on passenger or cargo room.

The hydrogen fuel tanks are mounted beneath the cargo floor, with the storage batteries located at the center of the chassis. The fuel cell stack is located under the hood, giving the Provoq the interior layout of a conventional crossover - including a full cargo area and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

A unique instrument cluster with large, reconfigurable LCD displays offers a multitude of vehicle information readouts, including fuel cell information and vehicle performance. Like the CTS, the Provoq has a prominent center stack that houses the audio and climate systems, as well as a navigation system that rises out of the top of the instrument panel. Also like the CTS, there is an integrated hard drive that stores navigation maps, thousands of songs and more.

Between the front bucket seats is a large center console with a fully enclosed storage compartment that is home to ports for USB-connected devices and other electronics. The console also has a cell phone holder with built-in Bluetooth and inductive charging. The compact shifting mechanism on the console uses shift-by-wire technology to engage the gears, resulting in more storage space within the console.

A variety of recycled and recyclable materials were used, as well. Highlights:

• The headliner is wrapped in a fully recyclable soy-based material
• The carpet is made of recycled polyester and jute
• Leather used to cover the seats and instrumental panel is free of harmful chemicals
• Xorel material used on the door panels and instrument panel; treated to perform as a carbon-fiber-type material
• Chrome trim made with less-harmful materials

The earth-friendly interior components blend seamlessly with the more conventional materials inside the Provoq, enhancing the vehicle's integrated, customer-focused environment. The same goes for the cargo area, which features an auxiliary power outlet and a load floor that is level with the hatch opening.