The 2014 Cadillac ELR, the Wreath-and-Crest brand's first plug-in car, will go on sale in January. The ELR will start at $75,995, including destination. That's more than twice the price of the Chevrolet Volt it's based on, and about $15,000 higher than had been generally expected.
A $7,500 Federal tax credit might alleviate some of that sticker shock. Or maybe not.
Like the Volt, the ELR's powertrain consists of a 1.4-liter range-extending gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a T-shaped 16.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. ELR buyers will at least get a little more power, however. The Cadillac's total powertrain output is 207 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, compared to 149 hp for the Chevy.
The ELR also features "Regen on Demand"--a regenerative braking system controlled by paddle shifters--and four driving modes: Tour, Sport, Mountain, and Hold. The latter allows the driver to prioritize gasoline or electric power.
Cadillac says the ELR will be able to travel about 35 miles on electricity, and more than 300 miles total. A full charged from a 240-volt Level 2 source will take about 4.5 hours.
Since it is a Cadillac, the ELR will also be offered with the CUE infotainment system, complete with the infamous eight-inch capacitive screen. There will also be a plethora of electronic driving aids on offer, including: Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and the Safety Alert Seat--which pulses to warn the driver of impending danger.
Sales of the 2014 Cadillac ELR commence in January.
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