AutoNews: Provoq IS New Crossover

[megeebee]

Provoq is Caddy's small crossover




Rick Kranz

Automotive News | January 14, 2008 - 12:01 am EST


The Provoq crossover concept that debuted last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas shows Cadillac's intent to offer a small crossover.

General Motors picked the show to introduce its fifth-generation fuel cell and to solidify the automaker's intention to position Cadillac as its technology leader.

"Cadillac has a history of introducing innovations and technology leadership," said Nick Zielinski, GM's vehicle chief engineer of advanced system integration. "We think it is appropriate to marry the most advanced propulsion system we have at GM with, effectively, our brand that has the leadership for innovation and technology."

The Provoq concept seats five and has a 114.4-inch wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs. The Provoq is essentially a thinly disguised production vehicle expected to go into production around 2009. That vehicle will use a gasoline-powered V-6 and compete with the BMW X3 and upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK.

The Provoq's exterior styling draws on cues introduced on the 2008 Cadillac CTS, such as a bolder grille and extensive use of jewelry in the headlight modules and on the front fenders.

Aerodynamics were a key part of the design, said Clay Dean, GM global design chief. Dean and Zielinski spoke at a briefing last month at GM's tech center in Warren, Mich.

"We put a lot of time on Cadillac language and form philosophy and tried to understand how does that effect aero," Dean said.

Aerodynamics are "one of the big things that a lot of cars are going to have to deal with. And sometimes aerodynamics aren't as friendly in terms of personality and visual cues that we think are very important."

Aerodynamic highlights of the Provoq include moveable grille louvers that open automatically only when the fuel cell stack needs cooling, full underbody aerodynamic cover, flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation and side glass mounted flush with the pillars.

"The concept is essentially an electric vehicle with a fuel cell," Zielinski said. The Provoq has a 300-mile range — 280 miles on hydrogen and 20 miles on electric power.

GM's fifth-generation fuel cell stack is about one-third smaller than the fourth generation now being tested in a fleet of about 100 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles.

"We include a lithium ion battery pack that has the capability of being plug-in charged overnight at home," Zielinski said. "It is a smaller pack than we use typically with our E-Flex approach because we really want to focus on hydrogen propulsion because we think hydrogen is a much more efficient storage mechanism for electricity."


SOURCE: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart

[zete]

No surprise, but something Caddy needs.

Now, where's the next-gen SRX?

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by zete

No surprise, but something Caddy needs.

Now, where's the next-gen SRX?

There isn't one. The SRX dies after 2009. A wagon version of the CTS is due around the same time.

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Originally Posted by megeebee

There isn't one. The SRX dies after 2009. A wagon version of the CTS is due around the same time.

Ok so how does this work?
Correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt a CTS Wagon be smaller than the BRX???
To me, this doesnt make logical sence. How can the SRX replacement be a CTS Wagon?
Cadillac NEEDS a VERY STRONG midsize contender... not a CTS wagon.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by megeebee

There isn't one. The SRX dies after 2009. A wagon version of the CTS is due around the same time.

Originally I heard it dies, but now they aren't going to kill it and make it like a bigger version of the Provoq concept. They can't kill it, it would dumb to do so.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Originally I heard it dies, but now they aren't going to kill it and make it like a bigger version of the Provoq concept. They can't kill it, it would dumb to do so.

So let me get this straight.....within a few years we will have:

-The Provoq
-A bigger version of the Provoq (next gen. SRX?)
-CTS Wagon

Can we say 'sales cannibalization' ??

[CobaltSScrazy]

CTS wagon and Provoq...thats it. Next up is Escalade. NO SRX.

CobaltSScrazy

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

CTS wagon and Provoq...thats it. Next up is Escalade. NO SRX.

CobaltSScrazy

My bad......is easy to get confused here I guess haha

[skylark68]

I hope the Escalade doesn't go FWD. All we need is yet another FWD crossover.

[DirtyMoney]

The different CTS variants are set for different markets. I thought the CTS wagon was mainly being built for European consumption. But, looking at the newly unveiled CTS coupe, I can't wait to see what the wagon will look like. The Provoke(BRX) is supposed to be on the Captiva theta, which is a bit longer than the Saturn Vue. That is supposed to take the place of the SRX.

[Sal Collaziano]

Cadillac needs a bigger Crossover.. So I hope with the Provoq coming along, the SRX (or something to replace it) is bigger. The Lincoln MKT is going to be an extremely comfortable four passenger luxury vehicle with interior room like the Town Car and Cadillac Fleetwood.. Cadillac needs something like this as well - and it doesn't necessarily need to be the Escalade. Gas prices are getting too ridiculous. Not only that, however - the Escalade rides like a truck. A large Crossover could ride much softer and quieter.

[HEVguy]

This is great news! I think it should do great, and it'll bring even more clout if they introduce an eco-drivetrain version!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

So let me get this straight.....within a few years we will have:

-The Provoq
-A bigger version of the Provoq (next gen. SRX?)
-CTS Wagon

Can we say 'sales cannibalization' ??

That is actually what SHOULD happen. That' snot sales cannibalization if Cadillac differentiates each appropriately.
Remember, BMW has X5, X3, and 3/5-series wagons too.

But that's not the lineup Cadillac is aiming for -- at least for now.
It's Escalade, BRX, CTS-Wagon. That's it. We can hope for a BLS wagon.

[Ambalanche]

I always thought of the SRX as a CTS wagon anyway.

[GM_Fanatic]

GM's fifth-generation fuel cell stack is about one-third smaller than the fourth generation now being tested in a fleet of about 100 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles.

That was the most significant part of this article to me! That is really encouraging news!