Michelin Challenge Bibendum Sees The HydroGen1
FOR RELEASE: November 1, 2001Opel at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum
Rüsselsheim. At last weekend's Michelin Challenge Bibendum, a competition for environmentally friendly vehicles, Opel's fuel cell concept car, HydroGen1, and its successful production model, Astra Eco 4, gave an impressive demonstration of their outstanding abilities. In a strong international field with competitors from almost all European, American and Japanese manufacturers, the Zafira-based HydroGen1 was the only fuel cell-powered vehicle to finish the tough, 350 kilometer course from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. At the California Speedway near Los Angeles, the Astra Eco 4, with its 1.7-liter turbo-diesel power plant, demonstrated its exceptional fuel efficiency, consuming less than six liters of fuel over 160 kilometers (equivalent to less than 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers) at an average speed of 90 km/h. The most economical gasoline-fuelled car in Opel's history, the Corsa Eco, and the natural gas-powered Zafira 1.6 CNG also took part in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum.
Dr. Udo Winter, Chief Engineer at Opel and General Motors' Global Alternative Propulsion Center (GAPC), described HydroGen1's success as "an important step on the fuel cell car's road to market maturity". On the route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, the vehicles had to overcome an altitude difference of 1350 meters and outside temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius. In various individual disciplines on the California Speedway track, the HydroGen1 performed extremely well in emissions, noise and handling. Bernd Zerbe, Project Manager for HydroGen1, said the vehicle's good performance on the slalom course was especially important "because it shows that a hydrogen-powered vehicle can be just as maneuverable and user-friendly as a gasoline or diesel powered car".
HydroGen1 was also awarded a design trophy for the outstanding integration of the high-tech fuel system into the attractive exterior and interior design.