Inside the Hy-wire are no brake or acceleration pedals. All mechanisms to control the car are part of the steering wheel, similar in appearance to an airplane wheel, but in function more closely related to the handgrips on a motorcycle as the driver twists the grips to accelerate and brake the vehicle. This steering "X-drive" unit leaves open an inordinate amount of foot and legroom compared to most vehicles and seats five passengers comfortably, according to GM.

Instead of side view mirrors, the General Motors Hy-wire contains television monitors to check for oncoming vehicles. A television monitor is also mounted inside the steering wheel, which to some may seem redundant since the windshield has the extraordinary visibility as one might expect when peering out from a botanical gardens window since the car is without dashboard or hood.

First unveiled in 2002 at the Paris Motor Show, the GM Hy-wire has all of the features first envisioned with another General Motors hydrogen car, the AUTOnomy concept vehicle. The Hy-wire's fuel cell stack is actually 50-percent smaller than that of the GM Sequel hydrogen concept SUV.

The front-wheel drive GM Hy-wire is rated at 82 bhp, has a top speed of 99 mph and a range of 124 miles. The car contains three 5,000 psi hydrogen tanks mounted at the rear of the skateboard chassis.

A radical departure, even from other futuristic hydrogen cars, General Motors Hy-wire has set a precedent that most will one day follow. Combining hydrogen technology with drive-by-wire technology, the Hy-wire is a sure-fire crowd favorite wherever it has been demonstrated.

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