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THE Cadillac Converj Concept, a luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.
It will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator.
It uses electricity as its primary power source without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional kilometres.
“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Cadillac vice-president of marketing Don Butler.
“Like other 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 selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.
The Converj Concept, developed by General Motors (GM), sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electric power.
The Converj design has won several awards, including: Best Concept Vehicle of 2009, Eyes On Design Awards, Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009, North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards and Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year 2009, Southeast Automotive Media Organisation.
Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design, said: “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.”
Details on the ELR’s performance and price are to be announced.
