| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
|---|---|
| Also called | Cadillac Converj concept |
| Production | 2009 (concept) |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM Delta II/Voltec platform |
| Wheelbase | 108.0 in (2,743 mm) |
| Length | 182.0 in (4,623 mm) |
| Width | 74.0 in (1,880 mm) |
| Height | 55.0 in (1,397 mm) |
| Related | Buick Verano Opel Astra J Chevrolet Volt Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Orlando Opel Zafira |
The Cadillac ELR is a future plug-in hybrid sports car developed by General Motors. [1][2] It was first shown as a concept car at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as the Cadillac Converj.[3]
Incorporating the propulsion system from the Chevrolet Volt—the battery pack, the 120-kilowatt electric motor, and the four-cylinder engine-generator, collectively dubbed the "Voltec" electric propulsion system—the Converj concept has an all-electric range of 40 miles (64 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). The two-door, front-wheel-drive coupe recharges in only three hours using a 240-volt outlet, the type commonly used for large electric appliances.[4]
The Converj concept design has won several awards, including:
The ELR did not have a straightforward path to becoming a production model:
In April 2009 Motor Trend reported General Motors had approved the production version of Cadillac Converj in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicle.[8] However, GM refuted this report and stated that the Converj was "a concept vehicle undergoing a review".[9]
An August 2009 BusinessWeek report stated that GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wanted to see the Converj go to production, possibly as early as 2014,[10] and it was reported that while delivering the keynote speech at the 46th annual Northwood Auto Show Lutz "hinted that an announcement on production for the well-received Cadillac Converj concept car may be forthcoming."[11] At the 2010 Detroit auto show, Lutz told the Society of Automotive Analysts “The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production,” but that "It won’t be next year or the year after that.”[12] These hopes were dashed when Bloomberg reported that GM had in fact decided in late January to end work on the Converj, due to an 'inability to create an acceptable balance of luxury appointments and battery range'.[13]
The production Converj was later "un-canceled" in August 2011, when General Motors announced that the Converj concept will go into production as the Cadillac ELR, with details on performance, price and timing to be announced later.[14] Bloomberg reported that GM plans to price the ELR "less than the $57,400 Model S by Tesla Motor Inc." and that the ELR will be "about the same size as the Volt" and manufactured in the same plant as the Volt. [15] The ELR will use GM Delta II platform, which is shared by Chevrolet Volt, Cruze and the upcoming Buick Verano, and will be smaller than Camaro.