The 2014 Cadillac ELR is a luxury coupe that aims to find that perfect balance between art, science, and innovation. With heavily used stylistic cues from the 2009 Converj concept, Cadillac wants to deliver a driving experience that is luxurious, sporty, and environmentally friendly.
Just as the Cadillac ELR will be produced in limited numbers (some say as little as 10,000 will be made in total), the plug-in electric hybrid’s colors will also be limited, available at launch only in silver, graphite, red, and metallic black. The ELR’s wedge-shaped silhouette is a modern look forward, without leaving Cadillac’s heritage behind. On each corner, jeweled LED head- and tail lamp elements, signed by Cadillac itself, offer nods to Caddys from the late ‘40s, and “shaved-look” door handles allow the ELR’s character lines to remain in formation.
The plug-in hybrid’s charge port is located on the driver’s side front fender, just above the stylish 20-inch wheels surrounded by low-rolling-resistance tires.
To maximize aerodynamics, active grille shutters close automatically at highway speeds, and then open again when extra cooling is needed.
Under the hood, the ELR’s electric drive system is similar to the Chevrolet Volt’s in the same way that a Lotus Elise’s engine is to a Toyota Corolla. They have the same source, but different details. Cadillac’s version provides 295 lb.-ft. of instant torque and is powered by a T-shaped 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack located down the center of the car for optimal weight distribution. Using only the battery, the ELR can travel up to 35 miles before the 1.4L gasoline generator is needed for charging. Up to 340 miles is possible when the gas, electric, and human componentry work together. If totally depleted, charging with a 120V electrical outlet takes 12-1/2 to 18 hours, or 5 hours with a 240V charger.
Around back, the Cadillac ELR has 10.5 cu. ft. of cargo capacity, and comes with pretty much everything you’d need to keep it running while on the go.
Inside, your senses will be welcomed with the look, smell, and feel of burl woods, carbon fiber,
and suede and premium leathers, accented by satin chrome surfaces. Extra details, such as motorized cupholders and storage cubbies, and the remote opening glovebox are novel ways to impress coworkers still stuck in cubicles.
The 2014 Cadillac ELR is referred to as a 2+2 body style, with seating for two in back, as opposed to 3.
Technological features include standard Cadillac CUE with Navigation, programmable charging schedules, and energy efficiency reports via smartphone and online. The dash has multiple 8-inch configurable displays that offer 4 modes of personalized information ranging from minimally elegant to a seemingly innumerable amount of tech details bordering on OCD. A Bose 10-channel audio system with active noise cancellation is standard.
To help sweeten the pot, Cadillac is offering and installing a complimentary 240-volt home charging station for early adopters.
With an M.S.R.P. of $75,000, before any federal tax credits, luxury-minded techies and eco-friendly consumers will need to decide if the 2014 Cadillac ELR offers enough art, science, and innovation for their hard-earned kilowatts.
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Take a look at AutoAcademics’ exclusive video of the 2014 Cadillac ELR below.
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