Cadillac News: Cadillac to unveil the ELR in Detroit

[Drew Dowdell]

December 18, 2012

Drew Dowdell

Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com

It is looking like GM is gearing up for a very busy auto show in Detroit this year. Today Cadillac released this teaser of their upcoming ELR luxury electric hybrid. Based on Voltec technology, the Cadillac ELR will begin production in late 2013 at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck plant where the Volt is currently built.

Rumor has it that the ELR will forgo the 1.4 liter engine the Volt uses and instead run with a new Opel engine displacing around 1.8 liters. Further backing that up will likely be a larger battery.

Cadillac ELR Concept Gallery

Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of Cheersandgears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears

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[G. David Felt]

I am very excited about this!

[Camino LS6]

I sure hope it still has the showcar look.

[smk4565]

Looks like a Hyundai Elentra coupe in profile. I still smell disappointment coming here, my prediction is more expensive than an ATS coupe (if made) or CTS coupe, but not as good as either. Only time shall tell.

[dwightlooi]

There might be a pricing problem with the ELR.

The Volt is a $40K car to begin with and there is no way the ELR is going to be cheaper than that. As you inch upwards from $40K with luxurious equipment, more battery and an uprated different engine you start to get awfully close to the $60K mark. $60K is where all the posh tree huggers will go for the 120 mile range (60kWh) Model S.

I see the Volt based ELR as a missed opportunity. This shouldn't be Caddy's version of the Volt (which nobody really wants). It could have been either a super fuel sipping conventional hybrid combining an Opel 2.0L turbo diesel in parallel mode with the Volt's 72hp secondary motor/generator only and a light weight 4KWh battery. The diesel electric formula will be unique within the US hybrid market and will beat the Prius hands down in MPG numbers. Alternatively, it could have been a no-compromise "performance" hybrid, with a 270hp (LTG) turbocharged 4 from the ATS 2.0T and the same 72hp secondary motor/generator from the Volt and a 4 kWh battery. Either would have been much more attractive than a rehash of the Volt.

[smk4565]

Agreed on the pricing problem. It also seems that the tree-hugger types don't buy luxury cars, they buy low cost hybrids. That group of buyers does not want excess, they like simple, extra power or extra luxury doesn't seem to appeal to them. The ELR will probably be priced in ATS-V and CTS-V territory, that is too high for a FWD anything.

The battery life could come into play also, a gas engine is going to run for years, where as that battery may need replaced after 10 years. My car is 12 years old and the engine is fine, works like the day I got it. If it was an electric car it could be dead by now or in need of a really expensive battery. Too much risk with these electric cars.

[regfootball]

if it's 60k, you might as well spend more for a Tesla.

I question this as a 2 door. A 2 door is hard enough sell the way it is. I think Caddy needs to watch the price here.

[smk4565]

if it's 60k, you might as well spend more for a Tesla.

I question this as a 2 door. A 2 door is hard enough sell the way it is. I think Caddy needs to watch the price here.

Yep, 2-doors work on a full blown sports car like a Corvette or 911, but I don't know about an electric or economy car or whatever you want to call this.

[ocnblu]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

[hyperv6]

Lets face it as this is a segment of car that is going to be here for every company like it or not. It is going to take years to build this segment too. The fact is the same people complaining about these cars now are the same ones that complain that GM does not take the lead enough anymore or take risk.

The first thing we need to do is stop comparing this car to the ATS. The guy interested in this car is not going to forgo a ATS for an ELR. The next reality we need to understand up front this is not going to be a high volume car in anyway. Fianlly before you compare it to a Testla you need to understand the testal with options is over $102,000 and you do not get much for $60K.

With each gen and each year this car will be cheaper for GM to make and build. This segment is like a good Whiskey and it needs time to age and grow as it is a slow growth market. As it is this segment is not going to replace the gas engine we need to get it through the heads of some that this is a segment that will help keep the gas engine more viable and powerful. For every tree hugging crazy that buys an electric car it just frees up more CAFE for the rest of us in a ever tightening issue. The reality is they are not going to stop at a 53 Average and it will only get worse so if it take odd tricks like this then do it.

The fact is GM has one of the best systems and cars out there in this segment. What work they do now will pay off once the prices get undercontrol.

Just read the latest reveiw of the Prius plug in vs the Volt. The Volt is a so much better car and the only real beef is the fact it cost more.

Henery Fords early cars were not model T cheap either but in time he worked to get the price down. New technology is like this and if there is no market the price will never come down.

If anything here this is a car that will prove to be one of the best looking production electric cars in history. The show car styling is intact accept for things like the mirrors. I think you will find that in the price class it is in that many will buy it as a toy as many people in this class have disposible income.

Edited December 19, 2012 by hyperv6

[yougojay]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

Well, I feel the same way - I am sure it will be a beauty, but GM will never sell enough of them for it to be a well-known, popular Cadillac. I know the auto makers have to start somewhere with this electric vehicle thing, but the prices on them is a real buzz-kill.

[hyperv6]

The prices of the original gas engine cars in 1898-1907 were only for the wealthy and many said they would never get cheaper.

With out a start in this segment it would go no where. There will be more losers vs winners but over time this segment will hold it's own. It may be decades from where is will reach 50% of the market if even then. All I know is for every one sold it lets us have more powerful gas cars and truck. I may never own an electric car but the car I own very well may be on the market because of an electric car.

[Robert Hall]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

Well, I feel the same way - I am sure it will be a beauty, but GM will never sell enough of them for it to be a well-known, popular Cadillac. I know the auto makers have to start somewhere with this electric vehicle thing, but the prices on them is a real buzz-kill.

It is going to be a low volume halo car...it's a luxury car, so the price is justifiable. It's not a volume Chevy...

[ocnblu]

I'm thinking a halo car is something like a Corvette, or in the case of Cadillac, the Ciel or Sixteen.

Edited December 20, 2012 by ocnblu

[Robert Hall]

I'm thinking a halo car is something like a Corvette, or in the case of Cadillac, the Ciel or Sixteen.

Well, those could be halo cars for Cadillac also...but this is actually going into production...

Edited December 20, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[smk4565]

ELR will be a bigger bust than the Allante or XLR. Cadillac wastes time on garbage halo cars that tend to hurt image more than help. It looks like they are getting the ATS and CTS aligned with the Germans, but other than that the rest of the lineup needs work. I see the ELR as a distraction to getting to where they need to be, but GM likes to clone product to get more models out to appease dealers. It is like what Lincoln does, take a Chevy, put the wreath and crest on and add 20 hp and some leather and call it a day.

[Drew Dowdell]

You mean like how Mercedes takes a taxi cab, adds vinyl leatherette and sells it to poor saps in the US for $60k?

[balthazar]

The prices of the original gas engine cars in 1898-1907 were only for the wealthy and many said they would never get cheaper.

Not always the case. A 1902 Cadillac was $750, which equates to $19K today.

[smk4565]

You mean like how Mercedes takes a taxi cab, adds vinyl leatherette and sells it to poor saps in the US for $60k?

The European or Asian market Mercedes aren't much different than the ones here, mostly just smaller diesel engines because of the fuel cost. I think because of the dollar exchange rate (and taxes), Mercedes are actually cheaper here. In China a C300 costs $75,000, in the UK, $52,000 for a C250, although the diesel models are cheaper. Even in Germany, a C250 is $44,000 without the 19% tax, those taxis they are sending over aren't so cheap.

And you can't find a Mercedes chassis and powertrain in a cheaper family sedan, in the way that Acura and Lincolns are mechanical twins to their low end counterparts. Cadillac goes to the GM parts bin a lot, and gets reworked Chevys instead of what they really need.

Edited December 20, 2012 by smk4565

[balthazar]

mercedees uses plenty of cheap parts bin stuff, they just use the same badge on it.

[smk4565]

mercedees uses plenty of cheap parts bin stuff, they just use the same badge on it.

Mercedes lasar drills windshield washer fluid nozzles into heated wiper blades to allow for better cleaning and no obstruction to driver's view. I don't see too many other car companies that obsess over everything like they do.

[balthazar]

What happened to that giant mutant insect single-arm wiper system that was so amazing, that was going to revolutionize obstructionless viewing??

'Obsession' isn't a unilateral virtue; just ask a psychiatrist.

[hyperv6]

The prices of the original gas engine cars in 1898-1907 were only for the wealthy and many said they would never get cheaper.

Not always the case. A 1902 Cadillac was $750, which equates to $19K today.

Come on you are smart enough to know what I ment and the cars involved.

[G. David Felt]

What happened to that giant mutant insect single-arm wiper system that was so amazing, that was going to revolutionize obstructionless viewing??

'Obsession' isn't a unilateral virtue; just ask a psychiatrist.

Very true, Obsession in controlled quantities is far better than excessive obsession. People seem to give MB and BMW these large wide paths of never doing anything wrong as they are the best luxury lines there when in reality they have done plenty wrong and sure do not seem to be in the top 10 quality list from JD powers for the last 10 years. Selling off their name and the 90's quality that was better than many american versions but today, people need to keep an open mind to new quality ideas otherwise you miss the bus on the next great big job creation and money making opportunities.

[Robert Hall]

What happened to that giant mutant insect single-arm wiper system that was so amazing, that was going to revolutionize obstructionless viewing??

'Obsession' isn't a unilateral virtue; just ask a psychiatrist.

I wonder when they quit using that...the '80s-90s era W140 platform E class used it, my sister's '91 300CE has it, neat to watch.

Speaking of wipers, I noticed the new Fusion has the old school meet-in-the-middle style wipers....IIRC, some GMs in the '80s-90s used that style also--some of the W-bodies and Corvettes IIRC.

Anyway, back to the ELR...I'm looking forward to seeing this car, regardless of the drivetrain, if it looks a sharp as the show car it's going to be an interesting model for Cadillac.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

What happened to that giant mutant insect single-arm wiper system that was so amazing, that was going to revolutionize obstructionless viewing??

'Obsession' isn't a unilateral virtue; just ask a psychiatrist.

Speaking of wipers, I noticed the new Fusion has the old school meet-in-the-middle style wipers....IIRC, some GMs in the '80s-90s used that style also--some of the W-bodies and Corvettes IIRC.

As does the Escape. Over at GM, the Verano and Encore both do. Seems to be a German thing now.

[G. David Felt]

What happened to that giant mutant insect single-arm wiper system that was so amazing, that was going to revolutionize obstructionless viewing??

'Obsession' isn't a unilateral virtue; just ask a psychiatrist.

I wonder when they quit using that...the '80s-90s era W140 platform E class used it, my sister's '91 300CE has it, neat to watch.

Speaking of wipers, I noticed the new Fusion has the old school meet-in-the-middle style wipers....IIRC, some GMs in the '80s-90s used that style also--some of the W-bodies and Corvettes IIRC.

Anyway, back to the ELR...I'm looking forward to seeing this car, regardless of the drivetrain, if it looks a sharp as the show car it's going to be an interesting model for Cadillac.

I agree that the body style will tend to drive people to look at and check out Caddilac regardless of the number of ELR's they sell. I PREDICT this will sell better than people think it will.

[yougojay]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

Well, I feel the same way - I am sure it will be a beauty, but GM will never sell enough of them for it to be a well-known, popular Cadillac. I know the auto makers have to start somewhere with this electric vehicle thing, but the prices on them is a real buzz-kill.

It is going to be a low volume halo car...it's a luxury car, so the price is justifiable. It's not a volume Chevy...

They'll be lucky if they build & sell 5,000 - 10,000 of these. Build something that will sell to the masses, not to Hollywood stars & corporate CEO's

[Drew Dowdell]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

Well, I feel the same way - I am sure it will be a beauty, but GM will never sell enough of them for it to be a well-known, popular Cadillac. I know the auto makers have to start somewhere with this electric vehicle thing, but the prices on them is a real buzz-kill.

It is going to be a low volume halo car...it's a luxury car, so the price is justifiable. It's not a volume Chevy...

They'll be lucky if they build & sell 5,000 - 10,000 of these. Build something that will sell to the masses, not to Hollywood stars & corporate CEO's

Something like the 2013 Cadillac ATS?

[yougojay]

Yes - Like the ATS & CTS - The new ATS is a NICE car, and the CTS is a nice car, the CTS Coupe is to die for good-looking & it is desirable (IMHO) as it is a rare

coupe these days. GM (Cadillac) needs to come out with an ATS Coupe, it would be a great car I am sure

[Drew Dowdell]

So then why can't Cadillac also produce something high end for CEOs, Movie Stars, and Justin Bieber?

[G. David Felt]

The Cadillac for poseurs. No thanks.

Well, I feel the same way - I am sure it will be a beauty, but GM will never sell enough of them for it to be a well-known, popular Cadillac. I know the auto makers have to start somewhere with this electric vehicle thing, but the prices on them is a real buzz-kill.

It is going to be a low volume halo car...it's a luxury car, so the price is justifiable. It's not a volume Chevy...

They'll be lucky if they build & sell 5,000 - 10,000 of these. Build something that will sell to the masses, not to Hollywood stars & corporate CEO's

Your Wrong in this statement. Toyota brought out the Prius POS and focused on the CEO's, Hollywood Stars and extreme greenies. Now it is a huge billion dollar win.

GM building a Green auto like the ELR needs to get the approval and desire of these elite folks so that they can be seen by millions and then you end up with the Jones Jones race of having to have the same.

GM Marketing of the ELR and tagging the Visual folks that are seen by billions around the world is what will help win or loose the Hybrid market.

I see no reason why this should not be a smashing success for GM.

[hyperv6]

I think the point of this car is lost on some. Too many people have too many different ideas what the point and goals of this car are. While many people are to blame GM has not also been very clear no this.

The ELR will do ok and will get noticed as it will be one of the best looking electric cars ever built. If this the home run car? No but it will be one that will build another step to the future.

Note all those people showing up in Pruis at the awards shows will be in Tesla's and ELR soon. THey may show up in a Fisker if it ever gets around to building more cars that do not catch fire or break down.

[smk4565]

I am curious to see the final car and the price, but from the little we know, I don't think they'll sell more than 5,000 a year. Wouldn't surprise me if it is less than that. To Hyper's point of the car not being a home run, I have another sports analogy; Cadillac needs touchdowns and not field goals.

What annoys me about this car is it takes some level design, manufacturing and marketing dollars and resources. Money and resources that would be better spent on upgrading transmissions in the ATS and CTS, getting an ATS coupe/convertible into production, working on a large sedan etc. Cadillac has a lot of needs right now, and the ELR is the answer to the question no one is asking.

[Drew Dowdell]

Your wish list is already in the works but is being built from scratch. A lot of the platform engineering for the ELR was already done on the Volt. Different starting points.

[hyperv6]

I am curious to see the final car and the price, but from the little we know, I don't think they'll sell more than 5,000 a year. Wouldn't surprise me if it is less than that. To Hyper's point of the car not being a home run, I have another sports analogy; Cadillac needs touchdowns and not field goals.

What annoys me about this car is it takes some level design, manufacturing and marketing dollars and resources. Money and resources that would be better spent on upgrading transmissions in the ATS and CTS, getting an ATS coupe/convertible into production, working on a large sedan etc. Cadillac has a lot of needs right now, and the ELR is the answer to the question no one is asking.

Hmmm Development cost of one platform and spread over two cars sounds like just good buisness to me.

The money save and the development money spred out like this will not only give them this car but will help funnel other money into other projects that they are already working on that you have no clue even exisist yet.

The LTS and ELR are far from the only things they are working on. Also all the money they used to spent on the other division are now just focused on 3.

[smk4565]

Even using the Volt base, I think the ELR could be a money loser. This car doesn't help them catch the Germans, they need to pump money and resources into the cars that do.

[Drew Dowdell]

It's the other way around. The germans don't have anything to catch the ELR.

[regfootball]

hybrid cimarron coupe.....LOL

[ocnblu]

It's the other way around. The germans don't have anything to catch the ELR.

Ah but some rabbits are best left alone, a wise hound once said.

[balthazar]

5000 units annually sounds fine to me. Cadillac should never be about chasing volume, but building the best they can (at a divisional profit).

[hyperv6]

At this point with these cars GM is building to the goal of establishing a market and a break even point. Once those goal are achieved then they can focus on continuing to improve the cars and making a profit in a segment few others are dominating at this time. The Prius is the best that is out there and it is far from a good car.

Just read the last comparo in Car and Driver between the Volt and Plug in Prius. Other than price they love the Volt.

This deal is not a race but a marathon and any lead GM builds now till take others years to catch up. Think of this as an investment in the future. It may not seem like much now but could pay off big later with ground the gain and what they learn.

Electrics are here to stay and will have slow growth but growth all the same.

One only has to look at the space program. the Merucury rockets did not go to the moon but it was only the first step. With each generation of rocket after that we got closer till Apollo 11. Not only did we meet the goal we set out for but all we learned along the way that was and could be used in other parts of our lives was even greater. We must look at the electric car as like landing on the moon So many said it could not be done but it was. Also many of the new techologies we learn for this vehicle wil also be applied to other vehicles and possibly even lap tops pads and phones.

GM may even be able to sell the rights to a lot of what they develope along the way to gain income not only from the sale of cars. GM once was strong with this in the past.

[Z-06]

GM has got it right with Voltec. These baby steps are important considering how closely GM is scrutinized, lambasted baselessly, and held to the gun for everything which is considered as a misstep for Volt.

Converj (ELR) is a diversification of Voltec, and shows Cadillac is not merely chasing the Germans. If the car gets sucessful, Germans would be chasing it.

[hyperv6]

God knows BMW would love to be able to pull off a ELR. To do so they will have to partner with someone else or out right buy the technology. Few companies could afford to do what GM is doing on their own. This is why some are scared of this car. It could change expectation of the consumer over time.

Toyota took the lead with what they want the market to accept and if GM can change the direction it could cost them billions of dollars to change direction. There is a war on over how to do electric powered cars and who ever sets the stage will rule the market. Kind of how Apple set the pace of what is expected in a Music player, phone and pad. Others have come and gone and now they are all trying to do a better Apple now. You win the publics accpetance here you win the war.

GM's Idea of making electic cars that can go gas and electric is the best idea out there. Also the Volt drives and rides much like any other normal car. It is something that could take care of the average owner and not just a few willing to limit their travel. The only issue is price and time has a way to take care of that.

Edited December 21, 2012 by hyperv6

[yougojay]

So then why can't Cadillac also produce something high end for CEOs, Movie Stars, and Justin Bieber?

So then why can't Cadillac also produce something high end for CEOs, Movie Stars, and Justin Bieber?

Sure, no problem, let them make it. I heard J-Lo really wants one...

They can sell 15,000 of them over 7 years like they did with the XLR, then stop production on it & blame it

on the economy in 2020.

Go for it (again) Cadillac

[hyperv6]

The difference is the XLR was not built to create a new market and new systems for the Automobile. The XLR was not a path to anything new.

This is a deal where you have to look at the big picture as this is not about a single car but more about growing technology. With this you have to bigger and longer term.

The day will come where the Volt will go away and a lot of what was learned will be used in many different models. This journey stated with the GM Imapct vehicle and has move to the Volt and will move on to other advanced cars that will feed the future automotive market.

Edited December 21, 2012 by hyperv6

[Drew Dowdell]

The XLR failed because it was trying to go up against the Mercedes SL or Lexus SC and didn't have the engine or interior to compete. We'll see in a few weeks, but GM people keep saying that the ELR will set a new high bar for Cadillac interiors.

[G. David Felt]

It's the other way around. The germans don't have anything to catch the ELR.

Ah but some rabbits are best left alone, a wise hound once said.

Yes this analogy always comes up for kids on Saturday morning Cartoons.

You have to focus on small manageable groups that will catch fire and spread to the larger groups. This is about catching enough of the many to spread to the masses not the one. As such, getting 5000 in the public eye that makes them think more about wanting this technology in other types of auto's like a Volt AWD CUV or a Volt Mini Pickup truck, Volt Station Wagon.....

You have to start with something that will ignite the passion. The ELR and Volt are clearly doing that as I see more and more and hopefully GM will spread this technology to more alternative forms that will help people reduce cost long term. That is what a Volt does, reduces ownership cost long term by reducing the amount of fuel needed.

EPA list the average age of 257 million cars as 11yrs old or people having spent $24,000 dollars on gas over those 11yrs. The Volt can greatly reduce that amount putting money back into people pockets.

[smk4565]

The ELR might sell even worse than the XLR did, and the Volt probably loses money, dumping more money into that platform to create a low volume Cadillac sounds like another money loser. This smells of old GM when they used to make a lot of low volume, niche segment halo cars like the Chevy SSR, while neglecting the key segments.

I'm curious to see the final product to see what they do with interior and how they price it. But I still feel that another Cadillac flop is coming with this car.

[Drew Dowdell]

Omg! Key segments aren't being neglected! The ATS just launched. Other bodystyles are coming. We see the next CTS sometime between now and April. A new escalade....a new full Size sedan. All here in the next 3 years. New cars are not an app you can download.