The Sequel is a purpose-built hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept car[1] and sport utility vehicle from General Motors, employing the latest generation of HydroGen3 technology developed by Opel. The Sequel uses a "skateboard chassis" in which all relevant drivetrain and 700 bar hydrogen storage components are integrated. In addition a sophisticated drive-by-wire system is implemented. It has a range of greater than 300 miles, demonstrated on public roads between Rochester and New York City in March 2007.[1] Its only emission is water.
GM announced September 11, 2006 that their Sequel all-wheel drive fuel-cell vehicle will be a Chevrolet. The next-generation hydrogen car was unveiled at the Detroit auto show in 2005 and at that time was called the “GM Sequel;” the redesigned version of the crossover was unveiled by Larry Burns, GM’s vice president in charge of R&D and product planning.
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. Hence,the vehicle can accelerate 0-60 mph in less than ten seconds. Additionally, it provides a high level of control on bumpy terrain, snow, and ice. Increased torque and quicker deceleration when braking are additional benefits of some of the new technologies used in the Sequel.
Hydrogen storage and, consequently, driving range are major challenges in the development of fuel-cell vehicles.[1] 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. That is sufficient to provide an unprecedented range of more than 300 miles (480 km) between fill-ups, in spite of the vehicle's considerable 2,170-kilogram mass and large dimensions: The Sequel is just short of five-metres long (4994 mm), and uses an exceptionally long (3040 mm) wheelbase.