In the early 2000s, automaker SAIC Motor and several Shanghai-based research institutions and companies developed a series of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) based on the Volkswagen Santana 2000 and Volkswagen Santana 3000.
At the time, the Chinese central and local governments actively supported research into New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), a broad category that included hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The series name was 超越 (Chāoyuè), best translated as “beyond”. There were 4 versions:
2002: Chaoyue Number 1 (超越1号, aka 超越一号).
2004: Chaoyue Number 2 (超越2号).
2004: Chaoyue Number 3 (超越3号).
2005: Chaoyue Number 3 (超越3号MPV).
The spelling wasn’t entirely consistent, with a mix of character-based numbers and Latin numbers.
The English name of the project was START, an acronym that stood for Shanghai Tongji Automotive Research & Technology.
Who was involved?
Chaoyue/Start was a joint project between SAIC and Tongji University, supported by the Shanghai Huayi Group, Sino Fuel Cell, and the Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Corporation.
SAIC, or Shanghai Auto Industry Corporation, is a major Shanghai-based locally-state-owned car maker. In 2002, it had joint ventures with Volkswagen and General Motors, but SAIC didn’t have any self-owned brands yet.
Tongji University is a Shanghai-based public university with deep ties to Germany, a focus on engineering, and a famous School of Automobiles.
Shanghai Huayi Group is a large state-owned industrial conglomerate specializing in car tires and chemicals.
Sino Fuel Cell is a state-funded research institute & company specializing in hydrogen technology.
Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Corporation (SFCV) is a hydrogen fuel cell engine maker, founded in 2001 with support from the Shanghai government. It develops ready-to-run hydrogen engines and has worked with several large Chinese automakers.
This whole setup is a typical example of the Chinese way of new-technology research: a mix of state-owned companies and universities working together to find the next thing. This way still works today, but now, with private companies added to the mix.
2002: Chaoyue Number 1.
See what I mean? 1号 on the hood, 一号 on the license plate.
The Chaoyue Number 1 debuted in 2002.
The Chaoyue Number 1, now with a matching license plate, is standing next to the newer Chaoyue Number 2.
The Chaoyue Number 1 prototype was based on the Volkswagen Santana 2000, manufactured by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture. However, Volkswagen did not have any direct involvement in the project.
2004: Chaoyue Number 2
The Chaoyue Number 2 debuted in May 2004. It was based on the Volkswagen Santana 3000, which was an updated variant of the Santana 2000. The main changes were at the front, with a new grille, headlights, and bumper.
The hydrogen fuel-cell technology was impressive for China at the time. The fuel cell engine output was 32 kW. The top speed was 118 km/h, and 0-100 took a leisurely 24.8 seconds.
The range was 168 kilometers at an average speed of 50 km/h.
In total, the project produces 3 units of the Chaoyue Number 2.
The hydrogen cars competed in the 2004 Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai. This is a sustainable transportation innovation event initiated by the Michelin Group of France.
The 2004 event was held right at the School of Automobiles of Tongji University in Shanghai. According to reports, the Santana FCEV won 5 out of 7 tests.
Chaoyue Number 3
The Chaoyue Number 3 debuted in November 2004, still based on the Santana 3000. It was not an entirely new car but an improved version of the Chaoyue Number 2. After further development, the power of the fuel cell engine increased to 36 kW, then to 40 kW.
The project produced 10 cars. During various tests, the ten prototypes clocked a total of 100.000 kilometers, with one prototype driving 30.000 kilometers.
The Chaoyue Number 3 participated in the 2006 edition of the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, which was held in Paris.
Seven Chaoyue Number 3 in a row. The other cars are a Chery Oriental Sun sedan and a blue hydrogen MPVV developed by SAIC and Tongji University:
Chaoyue Number 3 MPV: 2005
This is an interesting one. It uses the same name: Chaoyue Number 3, but it is an MPV. This unique car is based on the gasoline-powered Shanghai SH6460, which, in turn, was based on the Volkswagen Santana 3000. See Erik’s article for more about the Shanghai SH6460.
The rear badges are cool: on the left: 超越3号. On the right: Start Three (!), that’s the only time the START name was used on the back of a project vehicle. The Chaoyue Number 3 was developed by the same parties as the other cars, so we may assume the hydrogen powertrain is the same, too. The MPV is on display at the Shanghai Auto Museum.
What’s left
The Chaoyue Number 1 has been on display at the Tongji University School of Automobiles. It is unknown what has happened to the other Santana FCHV prototypes. After 2005, the hydrogen FCEV project didn’t stop, but the Santana was no longer used as platform.
This is a hydrogen FCEV prototype based on the Roewe 750. In 2005, SAIC bought the rights to the Rover 75 from bankrupt MG-Rover. In 2007, it launched the Roewe 750 sedan. That same year, it unveiled a hydrogen version. In subsequent years, SAIC would unveil many NEV prototypes of the 750, with LNG, PHEV, and EV powertrains. More on those machines in a later post.
In 2008, Shanghai-VW unveiled a hydrogen fuel-cell car based on the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu. Volkswagen was involved this time, and the hydrogen cars were part of the Volkswagen fleet that supported the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
That’s it for this article. Thank you for reading!