2014 Cadillac ELR
The ELR initially debuted back in 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show as the Cadillac Converj Concept, and, even then, it was an extreme representation of the brand’s “Art and Science” design language.
The ELR coupe retains the stylish, aggressive wedge lines of the Converj concept car that spawned it way back in 2009. The production version has all the latest Cadillac interior refinements, including leather upholstery, elegant high-end materials, and the CUE touchscreen system for infotainment. The ELR’s interior is essentially that of a rakish mid-size coupe; there are two backseat positions, in small individual buckets, but full-size adults will have trouble getting in, and feeling comfortable with the very limited amount of headroom and legroom.
The 2014 ELR gets its motivation from a 1.4-liter gasoline-powered generator, a 16.5 kWh lithium ion battery pack, and a 154 kW electric motor. When put to the test, the ELR can sprint from 0-60 in about eight seconds, only a few ticks slower than a Lexus ES 300h hybrid. Replenishing the battery pack takes roughly five hours using a dedicated 240V charger and anywhere between 12.5-18 hours on a standard household outlet. The hybrid-electric drivetrain can be optimized for peak efficiency or performance by way of four driver selectable modes: Tour (normal), Sport, Mountain, and Hold, which stores remaining energy in the battery for later use.
The ELR is fitted as standard with stitched leather upholstery, genuine wood and chrome trim, a navigation system, Cadillac's CUE infotainment system, a 10-channel AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM Bose stereo system, all-LED exterior lighting, heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, heated exterior mirrors, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, a proximity key, remote start, Bluetooth connectivity, a universal garage door opener and 20-inch alloy wheels. A number of advanced safety technologies (detailed below) are also standard.
The wheelbase has been stretched a bit from the Volt, and the ELR is nearly nine inches longer overall. The Cadillac is more than two inches wider, giving it a more pleasing stance.The Volt’s stock dampers have been swapped out for electronically controlled, variable-rate units supplied by ZF, which Cadillac says help give the ELR a more profound Sport mode. The brakes have also been upgraded, no doubt to help cope with a 4070-pound curb weight, nearly 300 more than the Volt. The ELR also gets a new system for manually initiating extra regenerative braking by pulling on steering wheel mounted paddles.
Cadillac reported that the new ELR will go on sale in January 2014. The electric coupe will be priced at $75,995, including a $995 destination charge but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. After applying the federal tax credit, the price for the ELR could go as low as $68,495, including $995 destination.
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