Today GM pulled the cover off their new 2014 Cadillac ELR extended range electric vehicle. Built upon the proven technology of the Chevrolet Volt, the new ELR brings Cadillac brand a new green halo.
“ELR is an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design in a coupe that is both sporty and environmentally friendly,” said Bob Ferguson, Cadillac global vice president. “This is a pivotal moment in Cadillac’s history, as we continue our product-driven expansion.”
We first saw the ELR several years ago at the Detroit Auto Show in the form of the Cadillac Converj Concept. The production model shown here is so close to that concept, it’s striking. The ELR has an aggressive, forward-leaning profile that introduces a new, progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac’s design evolution.
The overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line accented by 20-inch wheels pushed to the edges of the body. Vertical headlamp and taillamp elements create Cadillac’s signature for the ELR, day or night and from the front or rear.
A flush front fascia and grille with active shutters behind the grille opening and a tapered fascia enable air to flow around the car to reduce drag. At the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler also manage airflow.
Inside, the ELR has the same center tunnel and four-place seating arrangement. The cockpit is driver focused, and lined with top notch materials. The leather-trimmed interior blends chrome and wood accents as well as a suede headliner and steering wheel.
Cadillac CUE with Navigation is standard with an eight-inch touch screen in the center stack. It supports the electrified driving experience with displays on driving efficiency, energy usage, charging options and more, in addition to a broad range of infotainment options.
The suspension has what Cadillac calls Continuous Damping Control which adjusts damping every two milliseconds to maintain optimal vehicle ride control over varying road surfaces and profiles. The ELR has 20” wheels with specially engineered low-rolling-resistance tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability with efficiency.
The ELR is powered by the very same powertrain format we have come to appreciate in the Chevrolet Volt. It combines a pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator. 207 horsepower of total system power is available.
The ELR’s battery is a T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, located along the center line of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels for optimal weight distribution. Using only the energy stored in the battery, the ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles of pure electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.
A driver-selectable Hold mode directs when the ELR uses its electric generator. This feature helps optimize the electric-driving experience, allowing owners who mix city and highway driving to save the battery charge for city travel, where the ELR EV mode operates most efficiently.
Charging the ELR’s battery can be done with a 120V electrical outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle can be completely recharged in about 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.
Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging according to departure time or when electricity rates are lower. Owners also can manage and monitor the ELR online or with their smartphone and RemoteLink, a mobile app powered by OnStar.
The Cadillac ELR’s battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. Cadillac announced today that the new ELR will begin production late this year and go on sale in January of 2014.
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