Cadillac Converj
Encyclopedia
The Cadillac Converj is a plug-in hybrid concept car
developed by General Motors
, to be mass produced
as the Cadillac ELR. It was first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
in Detroit and made its West Coast debut at the 2009 Orange County Auto Show.
Incorporating the propulsion system from the Chevy Volt—the battery pack, the 120-kilowatt electric motor, and the four-cylinder engine-generator, collectively dubbed the "Voltec" electric propulsion system—the Converj has an all-electric range of 40 miles (64.4 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (44.7 m/s). The two-door, front-wheel-drive coupe recharges in only three hours using a 240-volt outlet, the type commonly used for large electric appliances.
In April 2009 Motor Trend reported General Motors had approved the production version of Cadillac Converj in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicle. However, GM refuted this report and stated that the Converj was "a concept vehicle undergoing a review".
An August 2009 BusinessWeek report stated that GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wanted to see the Converj go to production, possibly as early as 2014, and it was reported that while delivering the keynote speech at the 46th annual Northwood Auto Show Lutz "hinted that an announcement on production for the well-received Cadillac Converj concept car may be forthcoming." At the 2010 Detroit auto show, Lutz told the Society of Automotive Analysts “The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production,” but that "It won’t be next year or the year after that.” These hopes were dashed when Bloomberg reported that GM had in fact decided in late January to end work on the Converj, due to an 'inability to create an acceptable balance of luxury appointments and battery range'.
The production Converj was later "un-canceled" in August 2011, when General Motors announced that the Converj concept will go into production as the Cadillac ELR, with details on performance, price and timing to be announced later. Bloomberg reported that GM plans to price the ELR "less than the $57,400 Model S by Tesla Motor Inc." and that the ELR will be "about the same size as the Volt" and manufactured in the same plant as the Volt.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
developed by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, to be mass produced
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
as the Cadillac ELR. It was first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit and made its West Coast debut at the 2009 Orange County Auto Show.
Incorporating the propulsion system from the Chevy Volt—the battery pack, the 120-kilowatt electric motor, and the four-cylinder engine-generator, collectively dubbed the "Voltec" electric propulsion system—the Converj has an all-electric range of 40 miles (64.4 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (44.7 m/s). The two-door, front-wheel-drive coupe recharges in only three hours using a 240-volt outlet, the type commonly used for large electric appliances.
Awards
The Converj design has won several awards, including:- Best Concept Vehicle of 2009, Eyes On Design Awards
- Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009, North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards
- Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year 2009, Southeast Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO)
Production version
The Converj did not have a straightforward path to becoming a production model:In April 2009 Motor Trend reported General Motors had approved the production version of Cadillac Converj in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicle. However, GM refuted this report and stated that the Converj was "a concept vehicle undergoing a review".
An August 2009 BusinessWeek report stated that GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wanted to see the Converj go to production, possibly as early as 2014, and it was reported that while delivering the keynote speech at the 46th annual Northwood Auto Show Lutz "hinted that an announcement on production for the well-received Cadillac Converj concept car may be forthcoming." At the 2010 Detroit auto show, Lutz told the Society of Automotive Analysts “The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production,” but that "It won’t be next year or the year after that.” These hopes were dashed when Bloomberg reported that GM had in fact decided in late January to end work on the Converj, due to an 'inability to create an acceptable balance of luxury appointments and battery range'.
The production Converj was later "un-canceled" in August 2011, when General Motors announced that the Converj concept will go into production as the Cadillac ELR, with details on performance, price and timing to be announced later. Bloomberg reported that GM plans to price the ELR "less than the $57,400 Model S by Tesla Motor Inc." and that the ELR will be "about the same size as the Volt" and manufactured in the same plant as the Volt.