FIT & FINISH: Cadillac's interiors are the BEST on the American-made market, INCLUDING THE TESLA MODEL S - which feels too hard and a bit unfinished in places. TECHNOLOGY: C.U.E is technologically sophisticated enough for the retirees who need to see big-buttons and easy to rear instructions, but UCONNECT TOUCH by Chrysler stands at the top of ALL infotainment systems with ease of use, system redundancy and presentation. DRIVETRAIN: The ELR gets fewer than 50 miles per charged battery, but, unlike the MODEL S, its Chevy Volt-derived powertrain allows you to use gasoline to recharge it while on the go. It is therefore not hassled by the range anxiety affecting the Model S, the Nissan Leaf and other ELECTRIC VEHICLES without gasoline generators. LOOKS: The Cadillac CTS Coupe was a striking vehicle for the first year it was on the market, but now, it's barely noticed. The ELR looks exactly like the previous CTS Coupe with almost no major exterior upgrades to show off its electric genes. You might as well SAVE $8000 and buy a CTS-V Coupe instead- which would actually get you more looks and prestige on the road. Want a collector's item? Buy a CTS-V wagon. The ELR should have had 4 doors - perhaps a plug-in version of the ATS. Ingress/egress from the backseat is very difficult the larger the person is and the interior is very tight - although not as cramped as the FISKER KARMA. The ELR is built upon the GM Delta II platform and incorporates a version of the Voltec propulsion system used in the Chevrolet Volt. The Voltec propulsion system includes a 119-135 kilowatt electric motor, a four-cylinder engine-generator and a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. GM estimates the ELR has an all-electric range of 35 miles (56 km), a total range of over 300 mi (480 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). The ELR recharges in about 12 hours from a 120-volt outlet and 4.5 hours from a 240-volt outlet. 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds in range extending mode. Some specifications were updated. The new top speed is stated as 106 mph (171 km/h), and Cadillac says the ELR has an all-electric range of 37 miles (60 km) and a total range of 345 mi (555 km). Charging times were also updated to 12.5-18 hours using the 120-volt travel charger, and about 5 hours using a 240-volt charging station.

• published: 25 Jan 2014
• views: 302