2014 Cadillac ELR, a Caddy coupe de Volt, emerges
Four
years ago in Detroit, Cadillac unveiled the Converj concept, an idea
for an angular small coupe powered by the electric-gas hybrid drive of
the Chevy Volt. It comes to life today at the Detroit Auto Show as the 2014 Cadillac ELR.
The ELR changes little from the original concept, displaying the same
vertical LED head and taillights, with the headlights merely widened a
fraction. Its sleek silhouette appears modern and slender, the look that
will soon spread across the Cadillac line. It's one of those rare cars
that looks slightly better in pictures than it does in person, but it’s
still a tasty machine.
Powered by a tweaked version of
the Chevy Volt drivetrain, the 1.4-liter engine and 16.5-kWh battery
remain. But the ELR boasts a slightly more powerful electric motor,
that combines to produce 207 hp and 295 lb. ft of torque. With the
initial oomph an electric motor provides, Cadillac claim the ELR will
accelerate like a BMW M3 (if only for a split second); GM declined to
say how much the ELR might improve on the 8.5-second 0-60 mph time of
the Volt.
Electric range is slightly less than the Volt (35 miles vs. 38) due
to a heavier curb weight and more power, but by using slightly more of
the battery’s power, it still nips at the Volt’s heels. The interior is
typically Cadillac, trimmed with the level of opulence one would expect
for a luxury coupe.
Like the Volt, the true benefit to the ELR is the lack of time spent
at the pump. Cadillac claims the electric-gas hybrid technology will
provide driving range exceeding 300 miles. A “Regen on Demand” systems
aids efficiency too, by allowing the driver to temporarily regenerate
energy by capturing the energy produced by momentum, and turning it into
electricity that can be stored in the battery for later use. Pulling a
paddle on the steering wheel engages the system.
The big question is what all this Cadillac goodness will cost.
Official numbers have not been released, but expect base price to run
around $60,000 before any tax incentives, a number that will make the
ELR a low-volume niche car. On paper and in the metal, the production
ELR manages to save much of the Converj's show car appeal. I only hope
it drives as well as it looks
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