The difference will be a "1.5" version of the Voltec platform, a more powerful version of the Volt system with a 181kg, T-shaped lithium-ion battery, an electric motor driving the front wheels and a four cylinder gas engine driving a generator. The battery will be the primary source to drive without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions , with a range (at this time) of approximately 40 miles. When the battery runs low it will switch to an extended range mode, using the generator to power the electric drive-train (which is powered by the fuel in the tank).This will give the Cadillac ELR a more powerful electric motor and increase performance. The ELR is planned to go into production in 2013 so it can hit the showroom floors by 2014.
The ELR's arrival will return the Detroit-Hamtramck factory to its roots: GM opened the plant in 1985 specifically for Cadillacs, but the factory stopped building luxury cars in May, when GM discontinued the Cadillac DTS.
The plant, which currently runs on one shift, will add two shifts, worth 2,500 jobs, over the next couple of years to build the new vehicles.
Adding an electric vehicle brings Cadillac closer to its goal of having a full lineup like those at Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The brand kicks off a planned stretch of new product launches next year by adding the XTS large sedan and a compact sedan code-named ATS. Developers are also working on a big, rear-wheel drive flagship to compete with the BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
GM confirmed today that the Converj concept car will go into production using the Volt's powertrain and will be dubbed the ELR. Here's the full press release:
DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.
We will be following the development of Cadillac's ELR. 2014 is the date for Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC to start showing a new concept in electric.
Keep it between the lines
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