Come meet the newest Cadillac the ELR

You guys know that I fell in love with the Converj when I saw it at the New York Auto show a few years back. Today Cadillac announced they are going to build it or something similar and it will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Cadillac ELR Photo Courtesy of GM

The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

Here is the Cadillac Presss Release

Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR – Luxury touring coupe gets extended-range electric vehicle technology

DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

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

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 seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

“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.”

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 Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

I would love to hear your thoughts? Leave a comment below or chime in over on the forum

I finally made it to the New York auto show and got a chance to see all the new Cadillac’s that were there. Although I am not a fan of the latest SRX style cars that are coming out I was amazed at one car at the show and that was the Cadillac Converj.

This car has some of the sleekest lines I have ever saw on a car and the features that were shown to us were amazing to say the least. I was over taking pictures of the Escalade hybrid when the spokesperson started the presentation near the Converj and it was crazy to say the least. It was like a tidal wave of people making there way over to the car.

You can see many more pictures over on the site. I made a dedicated page just for the Converj.

For the vintage fans of Cadillac I need a little help finding a part. I have an email from Bill Gross who is looking to find a rear center windshield for his 1950 series 61 4 dr sedan. If you can be of any help send me an email or post it in the comments section below and I will send Bill the information it is much appreciated.

A few months back I received an email from a guy named Earle who was going to a pro car show down in New Jersey. Since it was only a few hours away I figured I would just on a train and head on down but I guess I had the dates wrong as the show came and went without me being there.

Earle and his 1978 Cadillac Flower Car

I didn’t realize I missed the show until I got an email from Earle with pictures included. I was so bummed that I missed it,but thanks to Earle he made sure he took some pictures for us.

That is Earle standing next to his fine looking Cadillac. I really owe Earle for sending in all the pictures of his ride which can be seen on Earles page by clicking on the picture.

It is not often that we get such detailed pictures and a great story on how he became the owner. Thanks again Earle.

Now for the new Cadillac fans I have to say I am quite excited over the new Cadillac concept car he Converj. Although I am not a fan of the name the look and feel of the car is amazing. It has sleek lines and looks really fast although that is not what it is meant to be.  It is an electric car that is similiar to what Chevy has planned with the Chevy Volt except this one is in a much sleeker body style. I am hoping it moves from being a concept car to an actual production car. You can see more on Cadillac Converj.

As we are really in the need to break away from our oil dependancy in the USA this car could help us in a big way. Although the 40 mile range is not that big of a deal, think about the amount of times you just drive to the store and back. This could save a lot of gas that you purchase. Little step yes but a much needed one.