Supercars.net

Sept 22nd, 2006 - General Motors announced a driveable version of 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.

The bold push from GM to reinvent the automobile, first revealed in the AUTOnomy and Hy-wire concept cars, became that much more real with the unveiling of the GM Sequel. 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.

GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet-branded Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in autumn 2007. Designed to gain comprehensive research data on all aspects of the customer experience, the new project constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere. A variety of drivers, in differing driving environments, will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas of the US: California, the New York metropolitan area, and Washington DC.

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.

The bold push from GM to reinvent the automobile was first revealed in the AUTOnomy and Hy-wire concept cars. During those releases Larry Burns, GM vice president of research, exaplained ''GM's goal is to design and validate a fuel cell propulsion system by 2010 that is competitive with current internal combustion systems on durability and performance, and that ultimately can be built at scale affordably.''

He continued ''Sequel helps address major societal issues, from eliminating auto emissions, to helping the world transition to renewable and stable energy supplies, to reducing the chance for crashes and traffic congestion,''

Story by General Motors Corp, edited by Supercars.net