General Motors has announced a new car concept from Cadillac, which is that line's first use of the E-Flex platform (the same platform that the Chevy Volt and the Opel Flextreme are built on). The Cadillac Provoq is a four-door crossover (bigger than a station wagon, smaller than an SUV) concept vehicle.

As part of GM's approach with the E-Flex platform, this is a hydrogen fuel cell, zero emissions vehicle. It serves to further extend the idea of a vehicle platform that is independent of the means of onboard energy production. There are now gasoline (Volt), diesel (Flextreme), and hydrogen fuel cell (Provoq) versions of the vehicle, all based on the concept of battery propulsion for short-range travel, combined with some version of onboard energy generation. If GM developed dilithium crystals, they could readily incorporate that into the E-Flex platform equally easily.

Some of the stats from the GM press release at GM-Volt.com:

"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."

link: GM-Volt.com

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