The final vehicle that GM will be unveiling is the Sequel concept. The Cadillac SRX-sized vehicle is completely different than the
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| The final vehicle that GM will be unveiling is the Sequel concept, which is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Like the Hy-wire and AUTOnomy concepts, the Sequel uses an 11-inch thick 'skateboard' chassis which houses the fuel cells, lithium-ion battery, and a vast majority of the car's electronics and computers that control the car's steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire components. Rather than integrating a single electric motor mounted under the hood, the Sequel features multiple electric motors mounted in the hubs of the wheels.
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| Perhaps GM's biggest achievement with the Sequel is that it was built with technology that currently exists. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
While GM is not yet at the stage of producing vehicles like the Sequel, it has made dramatic improvements with fuel cells, improving reliability, performance and range - all important factors for making the technology acceptable to real life customers. Perhaps GM's biggest achievement with the Sequel is that it was built with technology that currently exists. GM's tentative release date for a hydrogen powered vehicle is 2010.
With the Opel Astra, GMC Graphyte and the GM Sequel concepts on its side, General Motors is sure to have all bases covered when the show begins. All three vehicles, a spectacle of GM's global brands, show how the company is as much in tune with societal issues such as reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, to increasing performance and reliability - a platform for the future that's sure to impress in the years to come.
