This is the vehicle that the Hollywood Green crowd will be arriving in at next year's Academy Awards, just as they did when the Prius first arrived. However, this time I may actually feel the odd pang of jealousy!
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What is a Cadillac ELR?
The ELR is an all-new Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) from Cadillac, which has been designed to appeal to a new growing segment of the market: the eco-luxury buyer.
2014 Cadillac ELR Prices & Specs
Pricing for the 2014 Cadillac ELR starts at $78,250, and there are only four further options available: Luxury Package, Safety Package, Premium Paint, and Premium Kona Brown Interior.
The ELR comes loaded with everything you'd expect from GM's luxury division, and then some! Just to give you some idea, here are a few of the safety features on offer to ELR owners: Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, side Blind Zone Alert, rear Cross Traffic Alert, and full speed range Adaptive Cruise Control.
Yes, some may deem a North American produced eco-luxury vehicle priced at nearly $80k a tad on the ambitious side. However, I beg to differ. This vehicle clearly demonstrates what Cadillac is now capable of, and after driving the ELR, I believe it to be worth every penny!
Driving the 2014 Cadillac ELR
The ELR, although loosely based on the Chevy Volt system of propulsion (as in an apple & tomato are both fruits) is said to be substantially different from the Volt, and this was made sufficiently clear to me after just a short drive. The 2014 ELR tracks, rides, and handles like a genuine Cadillac product. Its active suspension system provides continuous damping control (this adjusts every 2 milliseconds for responsive handling), while its HiPer design front struts reduce torque steer and improve on the overall performance/handling characteristics of the vehicle.
The ELR also benefits from an enhanced ZF Electric Steering System, which further adds to the sporty feel of the vehicle and its rear-end is tied together with a Watts Link rear suspension setup. This helps to keep the axle centered for more predictable handling, and is a system often found on race and rally vehicles. Now does that sound like the setup of a Chevy Volt to you?
I must admit to being rather impressed with the ELR. With four driver modes available to the driver (Tour, Sport, Mountain, and Hold), this is a highly sophisticated piece of automotive engineering.
One feature which I found particularly interesting was the Regen-on-demand system. Operated by two gear shifter-like paddles behind the steering wheel, drivers can command regenerative braking force in a similar fashion to engine brakes found on tractor-trailer units. This not only makes decelerations fun and productive (the recaptured power feeds back to the battery), but should dramatically reduce brake replacement intervals. Now, that's a very clever idea indeed!
Inside and Out of the 2014 Cadillac ELR
Based on the Converj concept car that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the production ELR manages to look better than the design which actually inspired it. While the ELR mirrors the brand's distinctive styling to a certain extent, it appears slightly more chiseled than most, and adds aggression and sexiness in escalating portions. It's a look which is not difficult to like.
Stepping inside, the now familiar cockpit layout is all Cadi. However, this being an electronically propelled vehicle, the dashboard display is even more exciting and informative.
Upfront passengers will enjoy ample legroom, although those in the rear section may well enjoy slightly less. This really is a two-seater with room for small children. Is this an issue? I don't believe so, as this truly is a sporty coupe first and foremost.
Comparing the 2014 Cadillac ELR
In all honesty, I never saw myself becoming an electric-vehicle fan. Till now, they've always appeared rather geeky and awkward, and the idea of renting a vehicle for out-of-town trips was simply absurd. However, with the ELR, most daily commutes will require zero gasoline (with zero emissions), and being an EREV, those longer trips are now completely void of electric-vehicle range anxiety. And it's a stylish looker to boot!
So, competitor-wise, unless you're willing to look at an odd low-volume product, I'd say Cadillac has just created its own niche electric eco-luxury segment of the market. I say, well done Cadi, as you've succeeded in turning this old lead-foot into an EREV believer.
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