by Christopher DeMorro

Well well well, look who is eating his words today. After rumors hit the Internet that a production version of the Volt-based Cadillac Converge would hit the market, I said I would believe it when I see it. Lo and behold, yesterday GM releases a press release stating that yes, it will be building a Cadillac version of the Volt. Sweet.

In staying with the recent tradition of giving cars letter designations versus actual names, the production version of the Converj will be called the “ELR.” No specs or real information were made available, only that the ELR will use GM’s Voltec technology, though likely with some improvements over the initial Volt. The obvious goals are more range and increased performance, though the ELR is likely to be a hotbed of cutting-edge infotainment technology as well.

The rumors from earlier in the week peg a 2013 release as a 2014 model, and in the press release GM also reveals that a new Cadillac concept is due for an unveiling…today! Will it be an ELR production concept, or something else? Can’t wait to see.

Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELRLuxury touring coupe gets extended-range electric vehicle technologyDETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

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Reprinted with permission from Gas 2.0