DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Cadillac ELR electrifies luxury market

General Motors followed up its high-profile Detroit motor show reveal of the Corvette on Monday by again hogging much of the media limelight on Tuesday with the unveiling of its electric-driven ELR luxury coupe.

Due to go on sale in the US in early 2014 (with the European and Chinese markets to follow), the two-door ELR uses essentially the same running gear as the Volt.

That includes a 1.4-litre range-extending petrol engine, a 15.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and an electric drive motor that offers 400Nm of torque and a total power output of 154kW.

The ELR is said to provide an all-electric range of 56km, and Cadillac estimates touring range will swell to 480km-plus with the range-extender kicking in.

Billed by Cadillac as the first application of extended-range EV technology by a full-line luxury automotive brand (it seems the Fisker Karma hasn’t registered on its radar), the ELR is claimed to deliver on the promise of the 2009 Converj Concept via its evolutionary exterior styling and new interior design theme (which will allegedly filter through to all future Cadillacs).

“ELR marks a fresh, even surprising new dimension of Cadillac,” said Cadillac Global Vice-President Bob Ferguson. “An additional aspect of ELR’s appeal to will be exclusivity. It will be a specialised offering produced in limited numbers.”

Enhancements to the EREV powertrain that debut in the ELR include ‘Regen on Demand’ and selectable drive modes designed to boost response and efficiency.

Regen on Demand allows the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the ELR’s momentum into electricity that can be stored in the battery pack for later use – it is engaged via steering-wheel paddles.

Cadillac claims most drivers will be able to complete their daily commutes with zero emissions, with longer trips free from “electric-vehicle range anxiety” because EREV technology “enables the same long-distance freedom as a conventional car”.

Measuring 4724mm long, 1847mm wide and 1420mm tall, the ELR is slightly longer, wider and taller than a Mercedes E-Class Coupe.

Cadillac has yet to release performance figures for the car, although the spec sheet does quote a top speed of 160km/h.

Visually, the ELR’s edgy design language has clear links with the CTS Coupe, although its forward-leaning profile is a fresh interpretation of Cadillac’s so-called ‘Art & Science’ styling philosophy.

Vertical headlight and tail-light elements create Cadillac’s signature for the ELR, with turbine-style 20-inch rims pushed out as close as possible to the car’s extremities.

Its manufacturer quotes a drag coefficient of 0.305 for the ELR, and points to elements such as the flush front fascia and grille (with active shutters behind the grille opening), aggressively raked front and rear screens, and a carefully designed rear spoiler as contributors to the car’s slipperiness through the air.

Inside, the ELR’s 2+2 layout is driver-focused, with the cabin trimmed in leather, sueded microfibre, chrome and wood (or optional carbon-fibre).

Standard features will include sat-nav with Cadillac CUE, which is the company’s new system for connectivity and control, using voice recognition, capacitive touch and many of the same hand gestures used on smart phones and tablets. Also standard is a premium Bose 10-channel audio system with active noise cancellation.

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