Preview: 2014 Cadillac ELR
This is the Master Landing Page for the Cadillac ELR. From now on, as we further review this car, we will be updating this page with whatever fresh content we create. Future drive reviews, updated specifications, videos, and other relevant information will all be found right here, in one convenient spot.
SUMMARY
Cadillac has revealed the production version of the range-extended electric ELR 2+2 luxury coupe, and it doesn’t just deserve your attention, it demands it.
The design is quite unlike anything we’ve seen from Cadillac before, but it very clearly exhibits the brand DNA we’ve grown to love in recent years. It is decidedly sleek, but retains the angular looks and high beltline we’ve seen on other Cadillacs. It definitely has its own look that sets it apart from other cars on the road. Inside, the car, the user experience will be augmented by the inclusion of the CUE infotainment interface and eight-inch display.
The ELR features two electric motors running the front wheels, with power supplied by a lithium ion battery system and a 55-kilowatt generator motor. The total output is 207 horsepower and a really impressive 295 pound-feet of torque. No word yet on how fast it’ll hit 60 miles per hour, but Cadillac states a top speed of 100 mph.
The all-electric range is about 35 miles, and the total range on a full battery and full tank of fuel equals over 300 miles. When depleted, a full charge takes about 12 hours using a standard outlet, but just 4.5 hours from a 240-volt source.
The ELR uses a suspension with continuously variable real-time damping and driver-selectable modes in front and rear. If the ATS is any indication, this should mean a ride that’s well sorted, comfortable, and sporty. Cadillac promises a dynamic driving experience, and we’re inclined to believe them.
Its regenerative braking system is like others in that is captures kinetic energy and turnis it into electrical power that gets sent back to the battery. What’s special about the ELR is the new Regen On Demand feature, operated by paddles on the steering wheel. This allows the driver to collect energy at will. Pulling on the paddle with one’s foot off the accelerator causes the car to slow faster than it would while coasting. It’s a bit like downshifting with a manual transmission, only with the added function of recharging the battery, and adding a layer of involvement to the normal driving experience.
What is exciting about the ELR is that it is a further advancement of the type of technology showcase in the Chevrolet Volt. The environmental and dynamic benefits seem to be proving desirable enough to keep it alive. Range-extended electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are here to stay, and from what we can tell, they’ll only continue to get better, especially if automakers keep the driver in mind.
Scroll down through the press releases for more information on the 2014 Cadillac ELR.
Cadillac ELR Electrifies the Luxury Market
Luxury coupe blends dramatic design, industry-leading extended range technology
DETROIT – Cadillac unveils the 2014 ELR today at the North American International Auto Show. The sleek luxury coupe features the first application of Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology by a full-line luxury automotive brand.
“ELR is an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design in a coupe that is both sporty and environmentally friendly,” said Bob Ferguson, Cadillac global vice president. “This is a pivotal moment in Cadillac’s history, as we continue our product-driven expansion.”
The ELR delivers on the promise of the Converj Concept on which it is based. The exterior establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand while the interior introduces a new design theme that will define future Cadillac models, emphasizing modern elegance, technology and precisely crafted details.
Industry-leading Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology provides full driving range exceeding 300 miles (480 km), combining pure electric driving and an efficient, range-extending generator.
“ELR marks a fresh, even surprising new dimension of Cadillac,” Ferguson said. “An additional aspect of ELR’s appeal to will be exclusivity. It will be a specialized offering produced in limited numbers.”
ELR’s confident and responsive EREV driving technology is enhanced with exclusive Regen on Demand and selectable drive modes that enhance driving and make the most of 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 adapted from traditional performance cars.
The industry-leading, proven EREV technology is uniquely tuned for Cadillac in the ELR. Most daily commutes will require zero gasoline with zero emissions. Longer trips are free from electric-vehicle range anxiety because EREV technology enables the same long-distance freedom as a conventional car.
Additional vehicle highlights include:
- Enhanced AT-PZEV emissions meet California’s criteria for single-occupancy access to high occupancy vehicle lanes
- Light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, daytime running lamps and taillamps, as well as signature front and rear lighting elements
- Twenty-inch wheels paired with tires designed to balance responsive handling and a comfortable ride with efficiency
- Interior design featuring cut-and-sew accented leather incorporating sueded microfiber, chrome, wood and available carbon fiber finishes throughout
- Cadillac CUE with Navigation is standard. CUE is Cadillac’s breakthrough system for connectivity and control, using Natural Voice Recognition, capacitive touch and hand gestures used on smart phones and tablets
- Programmable charging schedules and downloadable energy efficiency reports available online and through smartphone notification charging alerts
- Cadillac’s advanced active safety features, including Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, along with available Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and full-speed-range adaptive cruise control
- Advanced chassis and suspension systems, including HiPer Strut front suspension, compound-crank with Watts link rear suspension and Continuous Damping Control, which adjusts damping every two milliseconds for optimal ride and handling in all conditions
- Standard premium Bose 10-channel audio system with active noise cancellation.
ELR production begins in the United States in late 2013 with sales starting in early 2014 in North America and expanding to global markets including China and Europe.
Design
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, with 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 with minimal drag. A flush front fascia and grille – with 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 steering 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 CUE with 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 with displays on driving efficiency, energy usage, charging options and more, in addition to a broad range of infotainment options.
Using Cadillac CUE 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 steering-wheel controls and the motorized screen pivots up to reveal a hidden storage compartment with a USB port for phones and other personal items.
Driving Experience
The Cadillac ELR’s dramatic design is matched with 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 with 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 with specially engineered low-rolling-resistance tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability with efficiency.
A solid, stable foundation underpins the ELR, featuring a body-frame-integral structure with 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 with 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 steering system with premium ZF steering gear designed to provide excellent feedback while helping to save fuel
- A semi-independent rear compound-crank suspension with 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 with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with 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. Using 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 with 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 with 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.
Electrified ELR’s Driving Experience is Pure Cadillac
Advanced suspension, propulsion systems deliver responsiveness, refinement
DETROIT – The 2014 Cadillac ELR electrified compact luxury coupe drives with the performance-bred DNA of all the brand’s vehicles, connecting the driver to the road with responsive driving dynamics expected from a Cadillac.
“The ELR is first and foremost a Cadillac and it brings a driving standard that customers will recognize regardless of what’s driving the wheels,” said Chris Thomason, vehicle chief engineer. “It is a communicative driving experience that rewards with a great feeling of control and reassures with excellent power on demand – all reinforced with exceptional refinement.”
Unique features, including a driver-selectable Sport driving mode, combine with advanced chassis and suspension systems to deliver responsive and precise performance, while the ELR’s advanced propulsion system is calibrated for confident and engaging power delivery. 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 with reassuring power on demand.
The ELR’s Sport driving mode also contributes to its responsive driving experience, automatically reconfiguring the accelerator pedal response to provide quicker torque application and more sensitive feedback to driver inputs through altered suspension and steering settings.
Sport mode is one of four driver-selectable choices that help make the most of the ELR’s driving experience for a variety of driving styles and conditions. The others are:
- Tour mode: The default setting on the ELR is expected to be used most often and provides the greatest driving comfort and efficiency.
- Mountain mode: Mountain mode automatically adjusts the system to provide needed power in mountainous environments when vehicle performance could otherwise be compromised. Mountain mode allows ELR to sustain a sufficient state of charge so supplemental power is available from the battery if needed.
- Hold mode: Hold mode allows owners to direct when the ELR uses its gas-powered electric generator, reserving the remaining battery charge for later use. This feature helps enhance efficiency because owners who mix city and highway driving can save the battery charge for city travel, where the ELR EV mode operates most efficiently.
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 wrapped in tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability with efficiency.
Advanced chassis and suspension systems delivers control and confidence
A solid, stable foundation underpins the ELR, featuring a body-frame-integral structure with 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 with 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 steering system with premium ZF steering gear designed to provide excellent feedback while helping to save fuel
- A semi-independent rear compound-crank suspension with 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.
An isolated four-mount front cradle contributes to the ELR’s overall quietness, noise and vibration performance, and ride and handling dynamics. This is achieved by mounting the engine to the cradle, and then the cradle to the frame. Specifically tuned mounts are tailored to the engine’s inherent torque axis (when running), effectively damping transfer of vibration and noise.
The ELR’s structure also features an exclusive cross-vehicle brace that contributes to a firmer, more precise steering feel.
HiPer Strut front suspension: The technologically advanced HiPer Strut (derived from High Performance Strut) front suspension design helps reduce torque steer and provide more linear and communicative steering through improved camber control. That improves ultimate grip levels in dry and wet conditions, as well as improving the direct feel of the road, while isolating undesirable feedback.
HiPer Strut is based on the MacPherson strut front suspension design and features dual-path top mountings that separate the transfer of spring and damper loads to the body structure, for greater impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces. Reduced torque steer helps maintain acceleration linearity with a powertrain that delivers 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).
Hydraulic ride bushings in the front control arms result in a higher degree of ride isolation, quieter performance, and more controlled transfer of road input loads. The control arms and knuckles are constructed of aluminum for more nimble handling and weight reduction. A hollow, direct-acting front stabilizer bar is routed for minimum mass with maximum stiffness designed to result in better performance. The bar is mounted to the rear portion of the cradle with each end of the bar connected to the front strut via a direct-acting link.
Electric power steering: The rack-mounted electric power steering system is designed to provide excellent feedback and make the most of efficiency by requiring energy only when the wheels are turned. It is a dual-pinion system – one for steering and one for power assist – with variable assist. A combined electric motor and sensing unit monitors steering angle and delivers appropriate assist to the steering gear in all scenarios.
A premium ZF steering gear is used with the electric steering system and is designed for outstanding torsional stiffness with less operating friction for near-perfect linear response, smooth, predictable transitions and enhanced connection between the driver, vehicle and road at steering inputs.
Compound-crank rear suspension with Watts link: The ELR’s semi-independent rear suspension features a specifically adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear and a Watts link. The design combines the advantages of a conventional torsion beam axle with low weight and consistent camber control giving the vehicle excellent stability and enhancing interior space.
The technically advanced Watts Z-link helps center the rear axle during cornering, helping keep the ELR’s handling responses symmetrical on both left-hand and right-hand turns. The linkage’s capability to center the axle during cornering delivers a more balanced driving experience as the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension.
The space-saving layout of the rear axle also helped the engineers achieve a low center of gravity for improved agility. It also allows the fuel tank to fit between the rear wheels, enabling lower positioning of the rear seats.
Cast iron control arms are attached to the steel cross-car beam with a patented “magnetic-arc” welding process, which uses magnetic forces to drive the components together and weld them. The trailing arms on the ELR’s rear suspension incorporate an advanced, thin-wall structure of only 3.3 mm, for a mass savings of about 3.9 lbs. (1.75 kg).
Regenerative braking and Regen on Demand: The ELR is equipped with a fully blended electro-hydraulic brake system that enables seamless blending of regenerative braking – recharging the batteries during braking – and traditional disc braking based on the brake pressure applied by the driver.
During regenerative braking, the system converts the vehicle’s momentum to electrical power and stores the energy in the battery pack. If the battery is fully charged, the brake controller directs the system to conduct traditional friction braking. The system uses a high-pressure hydraulic pressure accumulator to provide boosted braking.
ELR’s exclusive Regen on Demand feature allows the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the vehicle’s momentum via steering-wheel paddles adapted from traditional performance cars. The electricity is stored in the vehicle’s high-voltage propulsion battery for later use. When engaged, Regen on Demand also provides vehicle deceleration that is slightly more than what a typical vehicle experiences while coasting, providing control and dynamic performance characteristics typical to downshifting in a manual-transmission vehicle.
To engage Regen on Demand the driver simply takes his or her foot off the accelerator and pulls back on either the left or right steering-wheel paddle to begin regenerating electricity. Releasing the paddle disengages Regen on Demand, allowing the vehicle to coast normally. The driver can engage and disengage Regen on Demand as desired and as traffic conditions allow.
A four-channel anti-lock braking system is standard and includes electronic Brake Force Distribution, which uses independent rear control for improved stability and braking during cornering, as well as more effective use of the rear brakes as vehicle loading occurs. Also, the disc brake system features large, vented front and solid rear Duralife rotors with Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing (FNC) finishing technology to reduce corrosion and deliver longer life.
Propulsion and charging systems make the most of pure-electric driving range: The ELR is powered by GM EREV technology, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending gas engine to provide approximately 300 total miles (480 km) of range, including pure-electric driving and generator-assisted driving.
When power from the advanced lithium-ion storage battery pack is depleted, the range-extending gas-powered electric generator kicks in to deliver continued power for the electric drive system, extending the ELR’s range, while also ensuring the vehicle’s dynamic performance. That combined power is delivered through the electric traction motor.
Positioned under the hood, the electric drive unit packages a pair of electric motors and a multi-mode transaxle with continuously variable capability. Inside the drive unit, a large electric drive motor propels the vehicle while a smaller, second electric motor serves as a generator to keep the battery pack at its minimum charge level and assists the drive motor with propulsion, based on performance, speed and efficiency requirements.
The propulsion system optimizer evaluates the best efficiency point hundreds of times per second and seamlessly switches from one-motor to two-motor operation to use as little energy as possible while meeting the driver’s needs for dynamic performance.
Lithium-ion battery system: 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.
The battery pack is protected by ultra-high-strength steel. It comprises nine linked battery modules that contain 288 prismatic lithium-ion battery cells, each of which functions as a building block. Each is the size of a 5×7-inch photo frame, less than a quarter-inch thick, and weighs about a pound. Each cell contains a carbon anode (negative electrode), manganese cathode (positive electrode) and safety-reinforced separator to isolate the electrodes while still allowing the transfer of electrically charged ions between the elements.
Charging the ELR’s battery can be done with 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 with their smartphone and RemoteLink, a mobile app powered by OnStar.
The ELR’s battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Design Powers 2014 Cadillac ELR
Cabin distinguished with premium materials, advanced technologies
DETROIT – With its distinctively sleek and striking profile, the 2014 Cadillac ELR luxury touring coupe delivers an electrifying presence even without its extended range electric propulsion system. Together, they represent a bold new expression of Cadillac’s Art & Science design philosophy and expansion of the Cadillac brand.
Being revealed today at the North American International Show, the ELR’s aerodynamically artistic exterior is practically unchanged from the award-winning Converj concept that inspired it. Inside, a luxurious passenger environment blends Cadillac’s tailored craftsmanship and premium materials with advanced technologies and connectivity.
“No other luxury car maker with a broad portfolio has a vehicle like ELR,” said Mark Adams, executive director of Global Cadillac Design. “The Cadillac brand has been building momentum for the past 10 years, and it is uniquely positioned to push to the next level by bringing this level of technology to market in a relevant and compelling way.”
The Cadillac ELR luxury coupe cuts a dramatic, forward-leaning profile that introduces a new, progressive theme and proportion to the brand. Its overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line accented by 20-inch wheels pushed to the edges of the body.
Inside, the ELR’s classic 2+2 layout is designed to be luxurious, comfortable and connected, with intuitive technologies complemented by the cut-and-sewn craftsmanship that defines Cadillac. The driver-focused, leather-trimmed interior features an artistic blend of chrome and wood accents as well as a sueded microfiber headliner, a steering wheel trimmed in leather and sueded microfiber. Carbon fiber trim is also available.
Cadillac CUE infotainment system with Navigation is standard and accessible through an eight-inch, full-color capacitive-touch screen with gesture recognition in the center of the instrument panel. It supports the electrified driving experience with displays on driving efficiency, energy use, charging options and more.
“The ELR introduces a new premium electric coupe segment to the luxury market and boldly proclaims to the world that you don’t have to compromise on great design or a luxury experience in your desire to be more mindful about the planet,” said Adams.
Exterior design
The Cadillac ELR exterior reveals a bold new proportion for the Cadillac brand yet remains faithful in its execution to the Art & Science design philosophy and Converj show car that inspired it.
“When we introduced the Converj in 2009, we knew any production model would need to advance the concept yet retain the distinctive design language and styling that were so well received,” said Tim Kozub, ELR exterior design manager. “In fact, the ELR exterior honors the concept so closely that one might think it was in the studio throughout the design process.”
Aerodynamics play a pivotal role in the ELR’s exterior design and driving range. A flush front fascia and grille, as well as tapered corners, enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag.
In the rear, tailored edges and a carefully designed spoiler manage airflow and reinforce the light signature with dynamic energy. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag.
“The overwhelming response to the Converj confirmed we knew how to make a beautiful design statement that would satisfy the packaging requirements associated with the powertrain, battery and aerodynamic function,” said Kozub. “Every inch of the ELR is in keeping with our design philosophy and executed to Cadillac’s standards for craftsmanship and leading-edge technology.”
Cadillac’s signature vertical LED headlamp and taillamp elements incorporate a daytime running lights motif at the edges of the headlamp housings, which feature molded Cadillac logos.
Additional exterior details include:
- Door handles hidden in recesses behind the doors
- The charge port is located on the driver’s side front fender
- Lights on the side mirrors pulse green while the battery charges and go dark when charging is complete.
Exterior colors include Black Raven, Radiant Silver Metallic, Graphite Metallic and Crystal Red.
Interior design
Luxury appointments, great proportions and a flowing and ergonomic cockpit incorporating the latest technology interface were top priorities for the ELR interior design team. A continuous feature line from the instrument panel through the doors to the back glass creates a complete and harmonious cockpit environment.
“The ELR interior is a convergence of expressive forms and premium materials that create the optimal balance of sport and luxury,” said Keith Fisher, interior design manager. “No expense was spared in bringing authentic material selections and the latest technology interface into the car.”
ELR’s 2+2 layout features a blend of carefully selected materials, including available carbon fiber and ultra-premium Opus semi-aniline leather seating.
Additional features include:
- Eight-inch configurable instrument and driver information displays, offering four configurations ranging from elegantly simple to technologically detailed information
- Power-assist covered storage/cup holder in the center console
- Fold-down rear seats to accommodate longer items such as skis and golf clubs
- Choreographed LED-powered accent lighting.
Medium Cashmere and Jet Black are included in the interior color palette.
Cadillac CUE part of the driving experience
Cadillac CUE with Navigation is an integral component of the ELR’s driving experience, displaying driving efficiency, energy usage and charging options in addition to the standard infotainment options, such as phone contacts and song information.
CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands, fewer buttons and larger icons. It is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”
The face of CUE in the ELR is an eight-inch (203 mm) LCD touch screen integrated in the top of the central instrument panel. Its features include:
- Proximity sensing: As the user’s hand approaches the LCD screen, command icons appear. Icons can be customized and arranged by consumers to improve ease of use
- Haptic feedback: Buttons on the fully capacitive faceplate pulse when pressed to acknowledge the driver’s commands, helping the driver keep eyes on the road
- Multi-touch hand gestures: Interactive motions (tap, flick, swipe and spread) popularized by smartphones and tablets allow easy scrolling of lists, zooming maps and searching favorites on the LCD screen.
- Natural speech recognition: Enables consumers to use fewer specific commands to recall stored media or input navigation destinations. CUE’s text-to-speech feature also allows users to receive text messages by system voice and to send recorded text messages in return
- Linux operating system, ‘open’ software platform and ARM 11 three-core processor: Each operates at 400 million instructions per second and the hardware setup offers 3.5 times more processing power than current infotainment systems. It also allows developers to write applications to CUE that can be downloaded by users.
A motorized faceplate for CUE pivots upward at the touch of button, revealing a concealed storage compartment with a USB that accommodates smartphones and other electronic devices and personal items.
CUE’s LCD screen features the drivers’ five most frequently used functions stored along the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, users can select up to 60 favorites – from music to points of interest, addresses, maps for weather or directions, phone numbers or system commands, such as “tag song.” Favorites can also be re-ordered and named to be easily recallable.
The steering wheel includes a five-way controller to navigate the cluster display, volume control, cycle through favorites, voice recognition, phone hang-up and more.
SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
|
Model:
|
2014 Cadillac ELR
|
|
Body style / driveline:
|
front-wheel-drive, two-door coupe extended-range electric vehicle
|
|
Construction:
|
single body-frame-integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders; roof, door panels; aluminum hood; one-piece bodyside outer panel; thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
|
|
EPA vehicle class:
|
compact car
|
|
Manufacturing location:
|
Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, Hamtramck, Mich.
|
|
Battery manufacturing location:
|
Brownstown Township, Mich.
|
Battery system
|
Type:
|
rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules
|
|
Size/case:
|
5.5-foot-long T-shaped; glass-filled polyester structural composite with aluminum thermal radiation shield and steel tray
|
|
Mass (lb / kg):
|
435 / 198
|
|
Battery chemistry:
|
lithium-ion
|
|
Thermal system:
|
liquid active thermal control
|
|
Cells:
|
288 prismatic
|
|
Combined electric/extended driving range (miles / km):
|
More than300 / 480
|
|
Warranty:
|
eight years / 100,000 miles
|
|
Energy:
|
16.5-kWh
|
Onboard gas-powered electric generator
|
Type:
|
1.4L DOHC I-4
|
|
Displacement (cu in / cc):
|
85.3 / 1398
|
|
Bore & stroke (in / mm):
|
2.89 x 3.25 / 73.4 x 82.6
|
|
Block material:
|
cast iron
|
|
Cylinder head material:
|
cast aluminum
|
|
Valvetrain:
|
overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust cam phaser
|
|
Ignition system:
|
Individual coil-on-plug – cassette type
|
|
Fuel delivery:
|
sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
|
|
Compression ratio:
|
10.5:1
|
|
Output (kW / hp @ rpm):
|
63 / 84 @ 4800
|
|
Max engine speed (rpm):
|
4800
|
|
Emissions controls:
|
close-coupled catalytic converters; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O2 sensor
|
|
Fuel type:
|
premium required
|
|
EPA-estimated fuel economy:
|
TBD
|
Electric drive
|
Type:
|
electric, two-wheel, front-drive
|
|
Motors (two);
|
drive motor, 117-135 kW; generator motor, 55 kW
|
|
Transaxle:
|
Voltec electric drive system
|
|
Power (kW / hp):
|
154 / 207 (total system power)
|
|
Torque: (lb-ft / Nm):
|
295 / 400
|
Charging times
|
120 V (travel charger):
|
about 12hours (actual charge times may vary)
|
|
240 V (charging station):
|
about 4.5 hours (actual charge times may vary)
|
Performance
|
0-60 mph:
|
TBA
|
|
Top speed (mph):
|
100
|
|
EV range (combined city/hwy):
|
about 35 miles (56 km)
|
|
EV / Extended range:
|
More than 300 miles / 480 km, including EV on fully charged battery and full tank of fuel (est.)
|
Chassis /Suspension
|
Front:
|
HiPer Strut with continuously variable real-time damping and driver-selectable modes, specially tuned coil springs with side load compensation, direct-acting hollow stabilizer bar, hydraulic ride bushings
|
|
Rear:
|
specially adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with Watts link; double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear; specifically tuned coil springs, hydraulic bushings; shocks with continuously variable real-time damping and driver-selectable modes
|
|
Chassis control:
|
four-channel ABS; all-speed traction control; StabiliTrak; drag control
|
|
Steering type:
|
rack-mounted electric power steering with ZF steering gear
|
|
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:
|
2.5
|
|
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):
|
38.4 / 11.7
|
|
Steering ratio:
|
15.36
|
Brakes
|
Type:
|
power four-wheel vented disc with ABS; electro-hydraulic; fully regenerative to maximize energy capture; dynamic rear brake proportioning
|
|
Brake rotor diameter front (in / mm):
|
12.6 / 321; vented, single 60mm front / rear piston w/ steel body caliper
|
|
Brake rotor diameter rear (in / mm):
|
12 / 305; solid; steel body caliper with single 38mm piston
|
|
Total swept area (cu cm):
|
front: 523
rear: 325
|
Wheels / Tires
|
Wheel size and type:
|
20 x 8.5-inch cast aluminum
|
|
Tires:
|
245/40R20 all-season
|
Dimensions
Exterior
|
Wheelbase (in / mm):
|
106.1 / 2695
|
|
Overall length (in / mm):
|
186 / 4724
|
|
Overall width (in / mm):
|
72.7 / 1847
|
|
Track width front (in / mm):
|
62.1 / 1578
|
|
Track width rear (in / mm):
|
62.4 / 1585
|
|
Height (in / mm):
|
55.9 / 1420
|
Interior
|
Seating capacity (front / rear):
|
2 / 2
|
|
Headroom (in / mm):
|
front: 36.9 / 938
rear: 34.7 / 882
|
|
Shoulder room (in / mm):
|
front: 55.2 / 1403
rear: 49.9 / 1268
|
|
Hip room (in / mm):
|
front: 52.9 / 1344
rear: 48.6 / 1234
|
|
Legroom (in / mm):
|
front: 42.2 / 1071
rear: 33.6 / 853
|
|
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):
|
9 / 255 (est.)
|
Capacities
|
Curb weight (lb / kg);
|
4070 / 1846
|
|
Generator cooling (qt / L):
|
7.7 / 7.3
|
|
Battery pack cooling (qt / L):
|
6.2 / 5.8
|
|
Power electronics cooling (qt / L):
|
3 / 2.8
|
|
Fuel tank (gal / L):
|
9.3 / 35.2
|
|
Engine oil w/ filter (qt / L):
|
3.7 / 3.5
|
|
Drive unit fluid (qt / L):
|
8.93 / 8.45
|
Shop
Most Popular
