Author Topic: Preview: 2014 Cadillac ELR (Read 1182 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** January 16, 2013, 07:50:12 am »

Cadillac introduces the first extended-range electric-powered coupe, and makes it drop dead gorgeous for good measure.

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redman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:15:51 am »

Electric coupe almost sounds like an Oxymoron, like Jumbo Shrimp or Live Recording.

The market is clearly not there yet and any attempt to introduce a 2 door into a market where a 4 door has yet to mature is nothing more than a recipe for failure.

Not a good use of the "public's money" GM would be my argument.

This might work as an exotic, taking into account the buyer, but not as a caddy or at least not yet.

safristi · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:22:13 am »

How far does a CADDY go........(~~from hole one to 18)~~Miami to Palm Beach.........

electrifying......more Bull Crap wanna bee thingamabobs,,,,,,,,,,do they have ELECTRIC chairs TOO..........

me_2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:25:15 am »

Realy nice but I must confess, i was expecting more a Voltec 1.5 based on the actual plateform, than sligthly boost traction motor B and suspension upgrade. I guess they only try to recoup developpment cost here (bean counter in action). Price range is quite on the high side too (up to $ 82,500 us + misc. fees). I'll pass.

Rupert · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2013, 09:07:45 am »

Personally I find these cars far more desirable than some overpowered gas (nowhere to drive) sportster. Ok the lux two door format is not indicative of good think IMO but still it is operating in the only area that can afford these vehicles ...at present anyway or maybe for ever. The Volt format is prefferable but still too pricey for most I suggest. You need the gas engine to make it practical to use. Battery only, requires the degree of trip planning that would be tiresome to use I think. You can't just go on a whim; which is what we are accustomed to. A degree of interaction too, that might be interesting. I like it and the Volt...can't say a lot...way above my purse string squeeze.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2013, 09:57:43 am »

Makes Tesla look like a technological marvel and a bargain compared to this. 56km and that's it?

And thanks for letting us know that in order to prove its luxury status, Caddy had to switch to front wheel drive and add LED's and daytime running lights!!!! Oh yeah, and front the rear lighting accents!! WTF? That's all GM could come up with? Pathetic.

canuckystan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2013, 10:58:35 am »

Why the hate? Beautiful car with cutting edge technology. They have to start somewhere - can only improve in the next iterations. And the tech will trickle down. Good for GM for putting this out there.

Vmango · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:05:39 am »

Quote from: canuckystan on January 16, 2013, 10:58:35 am

Why the hate? Beautiful car with cutting edge technology. They have to start somewhere - can only improve in the next iterations. And the tech will trickle down. Good for GM for putting this out there.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:06:34 am »

Quote from: canuckystan on January 16, 2013, 10:58:35 am

Why the hate? Beautiful car with cutting edge technology. They have to start somewhere - can only improve in the next iterations. And the tech will trickle down. Good for GM for putting this out there.

It's not the hate - it's indifference. GM is not starting somewhere, they've been working on it for many years and haven't introduced anything new in this iteration. Did you see any improvements in the drivetrain compared to the Volt? I didn't. And making it front-wheel drive is supposed to help them compete in the European premium market how? I can see it potentially doing well in China but not in NA.

Vmango · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:09:19 am »

I don't think this is targeted for Europe. Electric Cars an hybrids only do "well" in NA...it's a NA thing. Europeans choose diesel.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:14:40 am »

Quote from: Vmango on January 16, 2013, 11:09:19 am

I don't think this is targeted for Europe. Electric Cars an hybrids only do "well" in NA...it's a NA thing. Europeans choose diesel.

Here's a quote from the article for ya (1st page):

"...GM wants Cadillac to compete with the best of the best in the luxury market in not just North America but also places like Europe and Asia..."

EDIT: Note, not just in those markets but also compete with the best of the best hence my utter sceptisism.

Vmango · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:20:03 am »

Cadillac, not the ELR.

Cars like the ATS target the European crowd, not the ELR. The ELR is for rich lefties in Cali.

There is no way in hell, in hell, this car is the thrust of Cadillac breaking into the Euro market.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:23:18 am »

Quote from: Vmango on January 16, 2013, 11:20:03 am

Cadillac, not the ELR.

Cars like the ATS target the European crowd, not the ELR. The ELR is for rich lefties in Cali.

There is no way in hell, in hell, this car is the thrust of Cadillac breaking into the Euro market.

While I agree with you, please read the extended quote again:

"...Like the recently introduced Cadillac ATS, the ELR is tasked with taking the Cadillac brand even further globally. GM wants Cadillac to compete with the best of the best in the luxury market in not just North America but also places like Europe and Asia..."

Vmango · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2013, 12:31:29 pm »

Dude, you get caught up on things. This doesn't necessarily mean this is going to capture Europe...it's just a blanket marketing statement.

Mike · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2013, 01:41:24 pm »

This is a Halo car, it will be sold in Europe and Asia, but won't set the world on fire. Why the Cadillac hate waddaiknow?

Also, there is a powertrain improvement. Bigger electric engine and more powerful as well as suspension improvement.

Vmango · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2013, 01:48:01 pm »

Quote from: Mike on January 16, 2013, 01:41:24 pm

This is a Halo car, it will be sold in Europe and Asia, but won't set the world on fire. Why the Cadillac hate waddaiknow?

Also, there is a powertrain improvement. Bigger electric engine and more powerful as well as suspension improvement.

For what it is, I feel like Cadillac addressed many of the things people complained about with the Volt.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2013, 02:30:47 pm »

Quote from: Mike on January 16, 2013, 01:41:24 pm

This is a Halo car, it will be sold in Europe and Asia, but won't set the world on fire. Why the Cadillac hate waddaiknow?
Also, there is a powertrain improvement. Bigger electric engine and more powerful as well as suspension improvement.

No hate for the Caddy. I'd be happy with the CTS wagon, and for my wedding I rented 2 DTS's (didn't want Lincoln's or any other brand, just wanted Caddy). I loved their boats - the deVille's from mid 80's through late 90's - yeah call me weird.

I don't count making the electric engine bigger as an improvement. I expect innovation rather than blunt upsizing. The phrase "suspension improvement" in itself means squat. But I am even more tired of arrogant GM marketing.

And we already had a long discussion about the ATS. While a very good car and a solid performer, the FGC competition still offers a better overall package, IMO.

BTW, I can trash some Lexus models all day long (CT200h - overpriced underperformer, HS250s - souped up fuglified Corolla). Does that make me a Lexus hater? Hardly ever.

JRM · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2013, 02:50:07 pm »

I thought the Caddy coupe was designed to have sporting characteristics. What does it matter if one cannot drive the thing. All those electronic driving controls would make the sportiness useless to the driver. I think all these new safety controls are great for those who don't like to drive and would rather text, play games and work on their computers while in the driver seat, but for we who do, I hope they don't make their way into all vehicles at the expense of driving pleasure and, dare I say, excitement. At the very least, we should have the option of turning them off.

I agree with others who believe GM would have done better to have put this drivetrain in a more mainstrem sedan, not a sport coupe.

Rupert · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2013, 03:18:34 pm »

Well, I think that this vehicle will do well if it is reliable and no reason to think that it will not be so. It's selling to the crowd that can afford them and I suspect that there will be plenty interested here who would not be Chevy material. As for trikle down...hmm..I don't think so. Well not so much anyway and the term should probably be 'trikle up' if anything, since the engineering involved to provide such a vehicle for the masses, at a favourable price...is tough indeed. These vehicles are not for throwing around, with the weight carried. Maybe the europeans will get a diesel back/up. Remember that gas in Europe is much more expensive than here and distances are not as great...in the UK anyway. Not so much of problem hitting a sweet spot pricewise with this, I think and there will be interest and curiosity. The Volt target audience might be more trouble to find. Yeah, a diesel/electric Caddy. I like the sound of that a lot.

Ace · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2013, 12:13:38 pm »

Shoulda stuck the hybrid powertrain in the SRX