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Tags: Chevrolet Equinox, Fuel Cell, First Drive

Tag Links: Chevrolet Equinox, Fuel Cell, First Drive

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell - First Drive
Compared with the dust-up between GM and Toyota over who's got the better approach to hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology (i.e., Volt versus Hybrid Synergy Drive), the General has been positively genteel in its pursuit of hydrogen fuel-cell technology. There's been, rather boringly, not a speck of mud slung between GM and Honda, which recently unveiled its impressive FX Clarity. Not only are GM's and Honda's fuel-cell teams perfect gentlemen when referring to each other, but their respective research-fleet vehicles will soon be equaniminously refilling at many of the same hydrogen stations. (Although they'd better; these stations are few and far between).

Nonetheless, there's a canyon of difference between the H2-fueled Clarity and Equinox. Where the Clarity is a future-world, clean-sheet FCEV, GM pragmatically plugs its parts into the conventional Equinox platform. Its 94-horsepower electric motor, reduction gears, fuel-cell stack, and control electronics are an integrated unit that neatly swaps for the conventional gasoline engine and transaxle. Its nickel metal hydride battery pack (the Clarity employs Li-ion chemistry) is stashed under the rear seat, and a trio of small, 10,000psi hydrogen tanks are required to store the needed 4.2 kg of compressed hydrogen and still be finagle-able into the available space. The result is a seamless driving experience that's absent of the compressor whine normally encountered while accelerating. No, 12 seconds to 60 won't knock your socks off, but otherwise the Equinox FCEV defies you to find fault with it.

Frankly, this Equinox isn't the marvel the FCX Clarity is. But consider the bigger picture: GM's Project Driveway, just getting underway, will be distributing over 100 fuel-cell Equinox FCEVs to the public for rotating three-month periods. Consequence? By far the world's biggest real-world knowledge base of the technology. Fold this in with GM's current work on its next fuel-cell designs, and you smell a leapfrog advance coming when all this finds its way into a future fuel-cell version of the Volt. Will GM and Honda be so cordial then? We'll see. Read Article
Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell - First Drive



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DaHarderDaHarder - 1/17/2008 2:09:24 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
1st, it has to be said that the new front end looks really handsome, and is a great improvement over the last one...

2nd, this is certainly a positive step, sans the exorbitant development cost, towards a much more efficient future.

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aeyjayaeyjay - 1/17/2008 2:26:43 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I agree. The front end looks a lot better than the current one. GM is stepping up to the plate and I'm so happy to see them strive and improve. If we don't always looks at the marketplace as X Company vs. Y company, we can see what the big picture is... improving emissions and developing new technologies that will help make the world a better place to... breathe!


IhavearedS2000IhavearedS2000 - 1/17/2008 2:42:47 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It's good to see GM take some positive steps with regards to FC tech, but the range is about 100 miles less than the Honda's - maybe there is no mud slinging because everyone knows the score...

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 1/18/2008 8:11:00 AM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
if they do suck, they why are they selling? competition breeds innovation. If it weren't for honda or the rest of GMs competition, then they would be the one that sucks.

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IhavearedS2000IhavearedS2000 - 1/17/2008 6:36:28 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
STFU? Classy...Beat any women or children lately?



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IhavearedS2000IhavearedS2000 - 1/18/2008 8:27:10 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yea, come on over be-atch, haha - oh but wait, i don't date 12 year olds...


EnvyofyouRS5EnvyofyouRS5 - 1/17/2008 7:44:44 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Is fuel cell the future? all the presidential candidates seem keen on the enviroment and research. the next decade will be an exciting one.

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Designer1Designer1 - 1/18/2008 7:16:54 AM
-6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This car is just ugly, what's all this bragging about it?

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DaHarderDaHarder - 1/18/2008 1:33:06 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You (appear to have) Less-than-ZERO Design Credentials/Sense, What's The Screen Name All About?


Htay7500Htay7500 - 1/18/2008 10:43:59 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
...about the ignorant statements you make.

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 1/18/2008 12:07:26 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
IhavearedS2000IhavearedS2000 - 1/18/2008 2:52:51 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Inside cpt's head:

'Ouchie, i got de boosted - that hurts my feelings....

i think i'll call everyone names to make my johnson feel bigger, oh wait, that didn't work last time and it's still tiny'

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 1/18/2008 3:47:53 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I think we should leave demented kids like him alone. you'll never gonna know what their next move will be!!!


t_bonet_bone - 1/18/2008 7:18:39 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Why would GM choose an SUV platform to showcase a marginal powerplant? What was THAT meeting like?

"Hey, Rick and your team--what do you guys think"

"Well Bob, even considering the 94 horsepower, we're going go with the SUV. We're not worried about having twice the aerodynamic drag, because we know the American consumer demands these vehicles, so that's what they're going to get, 12 second 0-60 and all. Meanwhile, when they hear about the slow 0-60 they'll swarm the dealers lots to buy the 'last' of the V-8's."

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