Cadillac Begins Shipping First ELRs to Dealers

Cadillac’sCadillacUnited States of America, 1902 > present79 models
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ELRCadillac ELRUnited States of America, 2014 > present16 photos
takes the powertrain from a Chevrolet VoltChevrolet Volt Gen.1United States of America, 2007 > present8 versions
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and covers it in a much prettier wrapper, and it should because prices start at $75,995, more than double the base price of a Volt. Cadillac has loaded up the first production ELRs onto transporters and shipped them out of its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant. A few lucky buyers might even have their cars before Christmas.

The ELR uses the latest evolution of the Volt’s drivetrain with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and 16.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It gives the car a maximum range of 300 miles and a 35-mile range on only electric power.

The ELR comes standard with full LED front and rear lights, Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system with navigation, an 8in full-color capacitive touchscreen, real wood trim, lane departure warning, forward collision alert and Regen on Demand that uses the paddles on the steering wheel to force the electricity regeneration system to activate.

The ELR is the first attempt from a major automaker to sell in the luxury EV market. At the moment, its main competition will be the Tesla Model STesla Model SUnited States of America, 2012 > present2 photos
, and it will take on the BMW i8 at the end of the 2014.