2014 Cadillac ELR news, pictures, and information

Cadillac ELR Electrifies the Luxury Market

The Cadillac ELR has an aggressive, forward-leaning profile that introduces a new, progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac's design evolution. It carries over almost unchanged from the 2009 Converj concept that inspired it. The overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line accented by 20-inch wheels pushed to the edges of the body.

'The ELR represents a new dimension of Art & Science, the guiding philosophy of Cadillac,' said Mark Adams, Cadillac design director. 'Cadillac's DNA is innovation, wîth dramatic and provocative design. ELR delivers this in a luxury coupe that stands alone among major luxury brands globally.'

Vertical headlamp and taillamp elements create Cadillac's signature for the ELR, day or night and from the front or rear – a brand tradition since 1948.

Aerodynamics play a crucial role in the design as airflow is managed to help the vehicle slip through the air wîth minimal drag. A flush front fascia and grille – wîth active shutters behind the grille opening – as well as tapered fascia corners, enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler also manage airflow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag and contribute to ELR's 0.305 coefficient of drag.

Inside, the ELR's classic 2+2 layout is driver focused, emphasizing modern luxury, connectivity and precisely crafted details. The leather-trimmed interior blends authentic chrome and wood accents – and available carbon fiber trim – as well as a sueded microfiber headliner and §teering wheel covered in leather and sueded microfiber. Additional features include:
•Eight-inch configurable instrument and driver information displays, offering four configurations ranging from elegantly simple to technologically enhanced information
•Auto-glide/power-assisted covered storage/cup holder in the center console
•Fold-down rear seat backs accommodate longer items, including multiple sets of golf clubs
•LED-powered accent lighting in the instrument panel and doors
•Available Opus semi-aniline leather seating.

Cadillac CÚE wîth Navigation is standard and accessible through a large, eight-inch, full-color capacitive-touch screen in the center of the instrument panel. It supports the electrified driving experience wîth displays on driving efficiency, energy usage, charging options and more, in addition to a broad range of infotainment options.

Úsing Cadillac CÚE via the touch screen features gesture recognition, proximity sensing (revealing information when needed) and a three-core microprocessor for faster response. Some features are accessible via §teering-wheel controls and the motorized screen pivots up to reveal a hidden storage compartment wîth a ÚSB port for phones and other personal items.

Driving Experience

The Cadillac ELR's dramatic design is matched wîth an engaging driving experience, supported by the EREV propulsion system calibrated for uncompromising performance. With 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm) – about 12 percent more than the 3.6L V-6 in the SRX – acceleration in the city and on the highway, including merging and passing, is achieved wîth reassuring power on demand.

Driving confidence is further enhanced by advanced suspension and damping systems, including Continuous Damping Control – which adjusts damping every two milliseconds – to maintain optimal vehicle ride control over varying road surfaces and profiles. The ELR rolls on 20-inch wheels wîth specially engineered low-rolling-resistance tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability wîth efficiency.

A solid, stable foundation underpins the ELR, featuring a body-frame-integral structure wîth main underbody rails running continuously from front to rear. Advanced, high-strength steels add strength and conserve weight. Additional contributors to the ELR's driving experience include:
•Wide front and rear tracks – 62.1 inches (1,578 mm) in front and 62.4 inches (1,585 mm) in the rear – along wîth a long wheelbase (106.1 inches / 2,695 mm) and a low center of gravity
•HiPer Strut front suspension featuring lightweight forged aluminum components for reduced weight and more nimble, responsive action
•Dual-pinion, rack-mounted electric power §teering system wîth premium ZF §teering gear designed to provide excellent feedback while helping to save fuel
•A semi-independent rear compound-crank suspension wîth Watts link that incorporates weight-optimized trailing arms to absorb lateral forces, allowing the suspension to be tuned to handle vertical, forward and rearward motions
•Hydraulic ride bushings in the front and rear suspensions
•An electro-hydraulic regenerative brake system that captures energy and sends it to the battery pack
•Standard chassis control systems include antilock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control.

Because the ELR operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those wîth visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction wîth the American Federation of the Blind.

Propulsion and Charging Technology

The ELR is powered by GM EREV technology, combining pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator capable of 154 kW (207 hp) of total system power.

The ELR's battery is a T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels for optimal weight distribution. The 5.5-foot-long (1.6 m), 435-pound (198 kg) pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit capable of 295 lb.-ft. of instant torque (400 Nm) to propel the vehicle. Úsing only the energy stored in the battery, the ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles (56 km) of pure electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.

A driver-selectable Hold mode directs when the ELR uses its electric generator. This feature helps optimize the electric-driving experience, allowing owners who mix city and highway driving to save the battery charge for city travel, where the ELR EV mode operates most efficiently.

Charging the ELR's battery can be done wîth a 120V electrical outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle can be completely recharged in about 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.

Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging according to departure time or when electricity rates are lower. Owners also can manage and monitor the ELR online or wîth their smartphone and RemoteLink, a mobile app powered by OnStar.

The ELR's battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Manufacturing

The Cadillac ELR will be manufactured at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, the world's only automotive manufacturing facility that mass-produces extended-range electric vehicles for global markets in 21 countries. It is also home to Southeast Michigan's largest photovoltaic solar array. The 264,000-square-foot feature generates up to 516 kilowatts of electricity – enough to charge 150 ELRs per day.

Cadillac ELR to be Built at Detroit-Hamtramck