Chevrolet Sequel

Chevrolet Sequel
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size hybrid crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Powertrain
Engine	Hydrogen fuel cell
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,040 mm (119.7 in)
Length	4,994 mm (196.6 in)
Curb weight	2,070 kg (4,564 lb)

The Chevrolet Sequel is a purpose-built hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept car and sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet, employing the then latest generation of General Motors' fuel cell technology.

The Sequel's powertrain includes an electronic control unit and a fourth-generation version of GM's fuel-cell stack. The Sequel became the basis for the design of the gas-powered Chevrolet Traverse, which was the replacement for the Uplander minivan.

Characteristics

The Sequel's fuel-cell stack has a rated power output of 73 kW (98 hp), supplemented by a lithium-ion battery pack rated at 65 kW. One 65 kW electric motor drives the front wheels and individual 25 kW wheel-motors (outboard of the rear brakes) drive each rear wheel, providing total tractive power of 115 kW.

The Sequel stores 8 kg of gaseous hydrogen in three cylindrical, carbon-composite fuel tanks, pressurized to 700 bar (10,000 p.s.i.) and mounted longitudinally beneath the cabin floor. As a result, the range of the vehicle is more than 480 km.

The Sequel is just short of five metres long (4994 mm, 196.1 in.), on a similarly long (3040 mm, 119.7 in.) wheelbase, in order to accommodate the extremely long fuel tanks.

Possible production

GM made no commitment to building the Sequel. However, GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz has said he would push the company's strategy board to approve full production of a fuel-cell vehicle as early as the 2011 model year. Due to the extremely high cost of fuel cells, GM opted to instead build several hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox-based vehicles as testbeds. It then decided to change its direction of alternative-fueled vehicles, and unveiled the concept Volt in 2008, followed by the production version in 2010. As of October 2006, GM has built two Sequels.

See also

• General Motors Hy-wire
• Zero-emissions vehicle

External links

• CHEVROLET SEQUEL 300-MILE ZERO EMISSIONS FUEL CELL DRIVE
• Fahey, J. "GM's wild gamble." In Forbes #175, 25 April 2005, pp. 78–83.
• "The Architect behind the Reinvention of the Automobile"