irishcar.com

20 May 2002: The AUTOnomy fuel cell concept car from General Motors (pictured above with GM vice president for research Dr Larry Burns) has been voted ‘Engine of the Year – Best Concept’ in the Engine Technology International Awards, by an international jury of 41 motoring writers.

The annual award, organised by the UK publication Engine Technology International, is regarded as the ‘Oscars’ for engine and propulsion technology.

Graham Johnson, jury president and editor of the publication, said AUTOnomy shows that the ‘space-age propulsion system can be attractive’.

GM’s concept vehicle is the first in the world to be built from the ground up around the fuel cell propulsion system. ‘Drive-by-wire’ engineering is extensively used instead of mechanical control for steering, braking and other vehicle functions.

The core of the AUTOnomy is a completely new chassis on which the fuel cell stack and on-board hydrogen storage system, are packaged. This ‘skateboard’ chassis can accommodate a variety of body styles, allowing the creation of a broad range of vehicles.

“As a dedicated devotee of environmental preservation, I have followed the fuel cell development by GM/Opel with great enthusiasm,” commented Iede Aukema, Managing Director of Opel Ireland. “I feel very proud that we are on the cutting of this new-era propulsion system.”