Cadillac ELR (EREV) To Be Built At Detroit-Hamtramck

[xcel]

Leveraging the Volt’s R&D, GM’s Cadillac ELR to be built in Michigan.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 26, 2012

2014 Cadillac ELR PHEV – This could be GMs production oriented Technology Demonstrator for new lightweight materials, all new telematics and even more advanced safety equipment.

Preparations will soon be under way at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant to build the Cadillac ELR, a luxury coupe featuring the Volt’s extended-range electric technology.

At the SAE Convergence Conference in Detroit last week, GM North America President Mark Reuss released basic details on the ELR production facility and estimated initial production schedule.

The ELR PHEV, based on the Volt platform, is to be built at Detroit-Hamtramck with a $35 million additional investment for retooling.

The ELR is the production version of Cadillac’s Converj, a concept vehicle revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2009 with a production version subsequently canceled soon afterwards with the impending Bankruptcy.

The ELR will continue to use the beautiful Converj’s design theme while featuring a Volt (or similar to the Volt’s) drivetrain made up of a T-shaped Li-Ion battery, an electric drive unit, and the I4 engine-generator. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR will switches to a gasoline-powered electric generator to allow hundreds of additional driving miles. The LG Chem based Li-Ion battery will be built at the same location as the Volts. That being GM’s Brownstown Battery Assembly plant in Brownstown, MI.

The on again, off again and on again Converj

The Converj Concept Car, revealed on January 11, 2009 at the North American International Auto Show had previously won the Eyes on Design Award and the 2009 Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award for Best Concept.

The concept was developed as a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a host of interactive technology. The four-passenger Converj was setup to incorporate the Volt’s drivetrain with a typically Cadillac “no compromises” design. It was also scheduled to achieve 25 to 50-miles of all-electric range.

ELR

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance and price will be announced later.

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.

Detroit-Hamtramck not only builds the Volt but also the Opel Ampera and Holden Volt that are exported to 21 different countries.

Production of the ELR is currently scheduled to begin in late 2013.

The first Cadillac I will want to drive in my life and it is only a year away

[volton]

Great looking car. Hope it has better performance the Volt though

[2RR2NV]

can't imagine what it will cost though... let's see, wasn't the Volt (when it first came out) priced in the $40k range? let's see... Cadillac... $60k plus?

it does look pretty cool, but once again, it's gonna be priced WAAAAAYY out of the range of us common folk. even the current Volt is still too far out of my range.

[ALS]

The first Cadillac I will want to drive in my life and it is only a year away.

Nope!! I want to drive the new Hennessey CTS-V 1200 HP Twin Turbo Coupe that just hit 220.5 mph on that new Texas road with the 85 mph speed limit on the 23rd. The best part the Texas State Troopers approved.

I'll never deny I'm still a gear head at heart.

For entertainment - Liveleak

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by 2RR2NV

can't imagine what it will cost though... let's see, wasn't the Volt (when it first came out) priced in the $40k range? let's see... Cadillac... $60k plus?

it does look pretty cool, but once again, it's gonna be priced WAAAAAYY out of the range of us common folk. even the current Volt is still too far out of my range.

The uncommon folk generally drive cars that are much less efficient. I'll be happy if these are replacing pretty much any other luxury car

[RedylC94]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

The uncommon folk generally drive cars that are much less efficient. I'll be happy if these are replacing pretty much any other luxury car

Right.

'Tis interesting not to see any claims that it will outperform the plebian Volt in some functional sense, aside from inevitably fancier whistles and bells. Battery capacity? Engine power? "Technology Demonstrator for new lightweight materials" could mean performance might be slightly better than the weighty Volt's, even if the drivetrain and battery are the same. (??)

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by RedylC94

Right.

'Tis interesting not to see any claims that it will outperform the plebian Volt in some functional sense, aside from inevitably fancier whistles and bells. Battery capacity? Engine power? "Technology Demonstrator for new lightweight materials" could mean performance might be slightly better than the weighty Volt's, even if the drivetrain and battery are the same. (??)

Also, we've seen PR about their aluminum spot-welding (already in use) and testing of magnesium alloy sheets, so maybe we'll see those in the ELR.

The rumor is that it'll have a next gen engine, a bit larger, and the ELR and the next gen Volt will use it. Maybe with the ELR more tuned to performance.

Mark Reuss also said the ELR will use the battery differently, so I'm thinking it'll hybridize a bit more to increase maximum power. (Or maybe just sound like it's increasing maximum power).

I do hope they're going to use the ELR and Volt as their next-gen platforms.

[2RR2NV]

Originally Posted by ALS

Nope!! I want to drive the new Hennessey CTS-V 1200 HP Twin Turbo Coupe that just hit 220.5 mph on that new Texas road with the 85 mph speed limit on the 23rd. The best part the Texas State Troopers approved.

I'll never deny I'm still a gear head at heart.

For entertainment - Liveleak

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

same here.

[Carcus]

I would:

1. Lose the center tunnel
2. Drop battery capacity slightly (see #1)
3. Use blended mode with advanced programming that learns your route/driving habits and adjusts EV vs Blended vs Hybrid modes accordingly

End result should yield

1. Full back seat
2. Better performance (acceleration)
3. Lower battery costs
4. End of year gasoline usage very close to "EREV 1"

[herm]

I would drop Voltec and just install a single motor/inverter in the rear wheels of any of GM's FWD cars. Conventional engine in the front but tweaked to take advantage of the rear electric motor.. 40 miles range is a must or even a bit higher

Drop the LG cells and use A123 cells that do not need heroic temperature management and can be cycled 100% without hurting them.. made in the USA of course

Sheez, offer a CUV already