Cadillac ELR: prices and specifications

Cadillac ELR

The Cadillac ELR hybrid coupe is a luxury interpretation of the Chevrolet Volt sedan, filling the niche of sports cars in the Cadillac lineup. The model name indicates the electric drive type — ELectRic.

Development of the hybrid sports car began in 2008. General Motors management decided to make it a premium sports version of the family Chevrolet Volt. However, during the design process, the concept changed: instead of a sedan, the company focused on creating a sports coupe. In 2009, the Converj concept was presented at the Detroit Auto Show. Initially, serial production was planned for 2010, but vice president Robert Lutz announced that the car would not enter production until 2013. Indeed, the production Cadillac ELR officially debuted in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show.

The model is based on the front-wheel drive GM Delta II platform. The powertrain is electric, similar to that used in the Chevrolet Volt. It includes a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack and an electric drive akin to the Voltec system. The electric motor works in conjunction with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. On pure electricity, the car can travel 64 kilometers, and with the gasoline engine engaged, the total range reaches 480 km. A full charge from a standard outlet takes 12 hours (time depends on mains voltage), and from a specialized station, 4.5 hours.