Cadillac sets out to Provoq

Cadillac essentially killed two birds with one stone via the Provoq concept, one of two design studies it revealed at the Detroit motor show.

Firstly, the Provoq is a precursor to Caddy's upcoming BRX crossover, which will join the frenetic compact SUV fray -- dominated in the US by the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.

Secondly, the Provoq also showcased GM's latest E-Flex hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system, which it has been honing for the past several years.

Cadillac says the concept's fifth-generation fuel-cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

As per Honda's FCX, the Provoq features a pair of composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor that hold 6kg of hydrogen at 10,000psi. This fuel is used to feed the fuel cell stack, which is housed under the bonnet.

The fuel cell combines hydrogen mixed with oxygen to generate electricity -- up to 88kW worth -- and this is supplemented by a lithium-ion battery pack that can kick in an extra 60kW for added squirt.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual 40kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction.

GM says the concept can drive 482km on a single fill of hydrogen -- with 450km from hydrogen and 32km on battery charge alone. Its maker quotes a respectable 8.5sec split for the 0-60mph (0-96km/h) dash, while top speed is around the 160km/h mark.

"This is a vision of what comes next -- a fuel cell electric vehicle that delivers the driving characteristics Cadillac customers want and allowing them to do it without using a single drop of petroleum, while emitting only water vapor," GM's R&D chief Larry Burns said in a prepared statement.

"This is proof that alternate fuels and advanced technologies create even greater opportunities to satisfy the luxury buyer," he added.

Fuel-cell technology is still some years away from becoming mainstream, but the BRX is likely to soon be a familiar sight on US roads.

The once-mighty American brand launches in Australia in the last quarter of this year via the CTS sedan, but there's as yet no word on whether the BRX will be available in right-hand-drive configuration, so its Oz prospects are unclear.