The long-awaited 2014 Cadillac ELR will emerge early in 2014 at a cost of $75,995, appropriate for high-end luxury cars but no doubt a bit steep for many looking forward to a step up from Chevy’s Volt. Still, there’s a lot here to justify the cost. Featuring a dramatic design and luxury touches throughout, this extended range electric coupe surrounds driver and passengers with handcrafted leather, authentic wood grain, and chrome trim. A Cadillac driving experience is promised as a matter of course.
Powering the ELR is electric drive energized with a T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. All-electric drive is good for about 35 highway miles, although that’s dependent on driving conditions. After that the ELR’s 1.4-liter gasoline engine-generator produces electricity to power the car over 300 total electrically-driven miles. When operating on battery power the car is expected to offer 82 MPGe fuel efficiency.
Among its many standard features are Cadillac CUE with Navigation displayed via an eight-inch capacitive-touch screen, LED exterior lighting, Lane Departure Warning, Safety Alert Seat, and Forward Collision Alert. A driver can temporarily generate electrical energy from the ELR’s forward momentum via a Regen on Demand feature controlled with steering-wheel paddles.
Four driving modes include Tour, Sport, Mountain, and Hold. Tour is the default mode while Sport offers a more responsive driving experience. Mountain mode maintains battery charge in hilly terrain. Hold mode allows selecting when to use battery power or the ELR’s gas-powered generator.