GM’s Most Luxurious Volt Yet: Cadillac ELR

GM’s Most Luxurious Volt Yet: Cadillac ELR

By: Ami Cholia
August 18, 2011

You know electric cars are making a mark when the luxury auto market decides to get involved. General Motors announced today that it plans to create a production version of the Cadillac Converj Concept. Built on the gasoline-electric Voltec platform - that also powers the Volt - the Cadillac ELR will be the company’s second extended-range electric vehicle. Some of you may have seen the concept at the Detroit Auto show last year.

Like the Volt, the Cadillac ELR will feature a four-cylinder 1.4L generator and a lithium-ion battery. In all likelihood, the car will use electricity for the first 35-40 miles after which it will switch to an extended-range mode.

Specific details about the car’s price, specs or release date weren’t announced, but the Coupe is rumored to go into production in 2013.

From all the details we’ve received though, the car seems like a Chevy Volt in a new skin.

Though Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing said, “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

Cadillac isn’t the first company to enter the luxury-electric company and GM is likely to face competition from car manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen who’ve both announced extended-range electric vehicles of their own.