[Wimbledon]

A new plug-in electric luxury hybrid competitor priced near the Tesla Model S and (speculatively) Fisker Nina. Based on the Chevrolet Volt/Opel Ampera.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-cadillac-elr-gm-officially-confirms.html

Ever since GM displayed the Cadillac Converj at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, rumors have swirled that a production model was under consideration. But we now have official confirmation that the pure electric Converj is indeed moving forward as a production car that will be named the Cadillac ELR.
“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “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.”

The Cadillac ELR will be equipped with a similar electric propulsion system to the Chevy Volt, featuring a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator.

Like the Volt, the ELR will use electricity as its primary source of energy for motivation, with the gasoline engine generator kicking in once the batteries are depleted.

General Motors said that the development of the ELR is well underway with more details on the powertrain to be released at a later date.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

The announcement on the production of the ELR Coupe comes shortly after Cadillac confirmed the new XTS large luxury saloon and the BMW 3-Series challenging ATS compact sports sedan.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/08/cadillac-elr-will-cost-less-than-tesla-model-s.html

General Motors has confirmed production of the Cadillac ELR coupe. The American automaker has yet to announce pricing for the coupe, but an unidentified course close to the project revealed the Cadillac ELR’s price will be lower than the $57,400 Tesla Model S. It is expected that the ELR will be priced somewhere around $49,900 with options adding up to $8,000 to that base price. Other sources have predicted that the plug-in ELR will cost somewhere in the mid-$50,000 range.

 

[metalica23]

the back end is pretty big as with most of them. But from the front it looks pretty nice!

 

[Fabulist]

The usual problem with GM is that the production car is a lot less interesting than the concept. For example, the volt went from this:

To this:

Which is almost indistinguishable from a Chevy Cruze. Let's hope the Cadillac ELR is not similarly watered down.

-- Fab.

 

[Wimbledon]

The usual problem with GM is that the production car is a lot less interesting than the concept.

Let's hope the Cadillac ELR is not similarly watered down.

-- Fab.

While the concept Volt's greenhouse was unsuitable for mass production, Cadillac's production-spec CTS Coupe proves that most of the ELR Concept's design is not infeasible for a production Cadillac.

Cadillac also unveiled this convertible concept called "Ciel". I am not normally a fan of American cars, but I find this design rather stunning and perfect for the Cadillac brand.

Imagine this with a proper PHEV drivetrain...

 

[Dutch]

The usual problem with GM is that the production car is a lot less interesting than the concept .... Let's hope the Cadillac ELR is not similarly watered down.

The Karma must be the first car ever that didn't get watered down. That happens when the CEO is a designer. Thanks Henrik

(Today is a great day: the start of production of my Karma - I hope. And this Friday I'll be test driving in the first demo that the dealer received. That should be a real production car, no more pre-production).

 

[doug]

Would the ELR compete with the Karma? Is there any market overlap?

 

[Fabulist]

And this Friday I'll be test driving in the first demo that the dealer received. That should be a real production car, no more pre-production).

Please post your impressions and share photos and video. It would be great to see any changes from the pre-production cars.

-- Fab.[hr]

Would the ELR compete with the Karma? Is there any market overlap?

With the $50 - $60K price point, it would probably be more competitive with the Nina than the Karma, particularly if the suspension and drive train is not as sophisticated as the Karma's.

-- Fab.

 

[doug]

Would the ELR compete with the Karma? Is there any market overlap?

With the $50 - $60K price point, it would probably be more competitive with the Nina than the Karma, particularly if the suspension and drive train is not as sophisticated as the Karma's.

-- Fab.

Not sure what you mean. I'd say the Volt drivetrain is more sophisticated than the Karma's.

 

[kabalah70]

If by sophisticated, you mean more complex and potentially prone to maintenance issues I agree doug. Let's wait until the EPA numbers are out before we start comparing efficiencies and realize that the Karma is significantly heavier than the Volt when we do start comparing.

 

[Fabulist]

If by sophisticated, you mean more complex and potentially prone to maintenance issues I agree doug. Let's wait until the EPA numbers are out before we start comparing efficiencies and realize that the Karma is significantly heavier than the Volt when we do start comparing.

Well said! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[doug]

If by sophisticated, you mean more complex and potentially prone to maintenance issues I agree doug. Let's wait until the EPA numbers are out before we start comparing efficiencies and realize that the Karma is significantly heavier than the Volt when we do start comparing.

Well "sophisticated" wasn't my word, it was Fab's and I was just asking for clarification.

But I would say Volt drivetrain is the more sophisticated/refined of the two. Sure it is more complex, but from what I can see it's very well engineered, including its ability to have some parallel operation (which helps with efficiency). Certainly has better NVH engineering. In terms of vehicle weight, well that's also part of engineering. I'd think that for the Caddy, GM should be able to boost performance.

Given the price difference, though, I don't really see the ELR and the Karma in the same market. Karma is certainly more exclusive. Also looks like the ELR is going to be a 2-door. But the ELR is another entry in the "luxury plug-in hybrid" segment. So there might be those who would cross shop.

Has Fisker announced if the Nina is to be a luxury vehicle?

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

The fundamental problem with modern Caddies is that they are seriously ugly.

(I'm not kidding. Obviously this is a personal taste thing, but, I looked at the CTS-V in person, because on paper, its specs are impressive. In person, I hated it. It's flashy rather than understated and blocky rather than elegant. The Karma is physically quite large, and yet it looks lithe. The CTS-V is also large ... and looks it.)