GM’s Cadillac group is entering the so-called luxury electric car market with the introduction of the 2014 ELR plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, unveiled Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
This has been called the luxury Volt on which the Caddy is based. The ELR is based on Chevrolet’s environmentally friendly vehicle and is the first vehicle to use the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology by a high-end auto brand. It looks like a Caddy with some sharp lines.
“ELR is an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design in a coupe that is both sporty and environmentally friendly,” Cadillac global vice president Bob Ferguson said in a statement, calling this release a “pivotal moment in Cadillac’s history.”
The car’s EREV technology combines pure electric driving with an efficient, range-extending generator, according to the car maker. The car boasts a full driving range that exceeds 300 miles. Running solely on the energy stored in the 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the ELR will travel for about 35 miles of pure electric driving.
Charging the vehicle requires a 120V electrical outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station, according to the company. A full charge takes about 4.5 hours with the high-voltage outlet, depending on the outside temperature.
Meanwhile, Cadillac CUE with Navigation comes standard, accessible via an 8-inch, full-colour touch screen in the centre of the instrument panel. The three-core microprocessor displays driving efficiency, energy usage, and charging options. It also makes phone charging easier: the motorized screen pivots up to reveal a compartment with a USB port.
“ELR marks a fresh, even surprising new dimension of Cadillac,” Ferguson said. “An additional aspect of ELR’s appeal will be exclusivity. It will be a specialized offering produced in limited numbers.”
Cadillac did not expand on how many ELR vehicles will be available, when or pricing details.
