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Cadillac's Provoq Fuel Cell Vehicle Shown at CES

When Ford decided to launch the new update to the Sync system at the

Art and Science on a compact crossover. It should provoke the competition... (Photo: Cadillac)

Consumer Electronics Show, it caught the eye of auto enthusiasts. However, General Motors one-upped the blue oval in terms of show-worthy content the next day when they rolled out their big item, the Cadillac Provoq concept vehicle!

The Provoq concept may look like a compact crossover vehicle, but underneath its stylish exterior is the hydrogen fuel cell version of GM's E-Flex powertrain system. The E-Flex system first debuted on the Chevrolet Volt Concept at last year's North American International Auto Show, and one year later it's being introduced for the first time on a Cadillac. The E-Flex system is a series hybrid, with the vehicle essentially acting as pure electric car. When the batteries are exhausted, a range extender powerplant - in this case it is GM's fifth-gen hydrogen fuel stack - acts as a generator to recharge the electric batteries. GM boasts that its latest fuel cell is half as big as the outgoing model, but provides more power and utilizes hydrogen more efficiently.

Clever energy-efficient gadgets like a solar roof and active vents make the fuel cell-powered Provoq efficient. (Photo: Cadillac)

The Provoq features a 70 kW (94 hp) electric motor that provides power to the front wheels, plus two 40 kW (54 hp) in-wheel electric motors that are powered by a battery pack with plug-in capabilities. GM says that the Provoq should be able to travel 20 miles on pure electric power, and a further 280 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. For a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Provoq's performance is quite strong, taking less than 8.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, and providing a top speed of 100 mph.

Although it may look like a conventional crossover, the Provoq features a couple of unique tricks to enhance its performance as a series hybrid vehicle. In order to improve aerodynamics, the Provoq's underbody is completely smooth, while the door handles and roof rack are

There's a lot of CTS in the Provoq's interior design. (Photo: Cadillac)

both flush mounted. Even cooler are the active grille and side vents; they open and close according to the fuel cell's need for cooling. Overhead, the Provoq features a series of solar cells mounted behind the sunroof, which help to charge the car's batteries. Finally, the Provoq's 21-inch wheels are wrapped in unique low-rolling resistance tires that feature a tread pattern that reads “H2O” – what comes out of its tailpipes.

In terms of its interior and exterior, the Provoq concept foreshadows the upcoming Cadillac BRX, which will be hitting the market before the end of the decade. The Art and Science exterior design theme works well scaled down to a smaller sized crossover, while the interior features a similarly styled cabin to the award-winning CTS, complete with ambient lighting and the French-stitched dashboard.

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