Cadillac's Converj Concept Becomes the Cadillac ELR, Begins Production

Back in January 2009 Cadillac unveiled the Converj Concept, a luxury electric coupe. Cadillac announced this week that the Converj Concept is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR. This vehicle will be the world's only luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery's energy is low, the ELR switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

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.

"The concept generated instant enthusiasm," said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. "Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving."

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

More information on Cadillac can be found at www.cadillac.com.