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

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


