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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Detroit Auto Show: 2014 Cadillac ELR


    By William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    January 15, 2013

    In 2009, Cadillac unveiled the Converj concept which melded the Volt's Voltec powertrain in a drop-dead gorgeous body. Today at the Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac revealed the production model of the Converj, which is named the ELR.

    The ELR stays very much true to the Converj's styling. The result is a very handsome and daring vehicle to wear the crest and wreath. The design features a low, fast roofline; strong shoulder line running from the doors towards the end of the vehicle, twenty-inch wheels, and LED head and taillights.

    The ELR's interior is very luxurious. Designers lined the interior with stitched leather, suede microfiber, wood, and carbon fiber. There is also a load new tech including Cadillac's CUE infotainment system, digital instrument panel that is configurable, 10-speaker Bose system with noise cancellation, and a industry first; "power-assisted" sliding cupholder cover. (Not a joke).

    Under the ELR's skin is the same Voltec powertrain that is in the Chevrolet Volt. That means a 1.4L inline-four that acts as the generator, two electric motors, and the T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Total output is 207 horsepower and and 295 pound-feet of peak torque thanks to a reprogrammed electric-drive controller. 0-60 MPH takes about eight seconds. The ELR will be able to travel up 35 Miles on electric power alone, a decrease from 38 Miles on the Volt. Total range also decreases from 380 Miles on the Volt to 300 Miles on the ELR.

    Cadillac says the ELR will be a pleasure to drive thanks to stiffer body structure, electronically controlled, variable-rate dampers; and an available sport program that changes throttle response, steering effort and damper settings. The ELR also features a "Regen on Demand" feature that temporarily increases the regenerative braking level by the driver using the steering-wheel paddles.

    The Cadillac ELR begins production in late 2013, with sales beginning in 2014.

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    Album: 2014 Cadillac ELR

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    tn_gallery_51_558_599143.jpg

    Album: 2014 Cadillac ELR from the show floor

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    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

    Press Release is on Page 2


    Cadillac ELR Electrifies the Luxury Market

    Luxury coupe blends dramatic design, industry-leading extended range technology

    DETROIT – Cadillac unveils the 2014 ELR today at the North American International Auto Show. The sleek luxury coupe features the first application of Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology by a full-line luxury automotive brand.

    "ELR is an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design in a coupe that is both sporty and environmentally friendly," said Bob Ferguson, Cadillac global vice president. "This is a pivotal moment in Cadillac's history, as we continue our product-driven expansion."

    The ELR delivers on the promise of the Converj Concept on which it is based. The exterior establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand while the interior introduces a new design theme that will define future Cadillac models, emphasizing modern elegance, technology and precisely crafted details.

    Industry-leading Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology provides full driving range exceeding 300 miles (480 km), combining pure electric driving and an efficient, range-extending generator.

    "ELR marks a fresh, even surprising new dimension of Cadillac," Ferguson said. "An additional aspect of ELR's appeal to will be exclusivity. It will be a specialized offering produced in limited numbers."

    ELR's confident and responsive EREV driving technology is enhanced with exclusive Regen on Demand and selectable drive modes that enhance driving and make the most of efficiency. Regen on Demand allows the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the ELR's momentum into electricity that can be stored in the battery pack for later use. It is engaged via steering-wheel paddles adapted from traditional performance cars.

    The industry-leading, proven EREV technology is uniquely tuned for Cadillac in the ELR. Most daily commutes will require zero gasoline with zero emissions. Longer trips are free from electric-vehicle range anxiety because EREV technology enables the same long-distance freedom as a conventional car.

    Additional vehicle highlights include:

    • Enhanced AT-PZEV emissions meet California's criteria for single-occupancy access to high occupancy vehicle lanes

    • Light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, daytime running lamps and taillamps, as well as signature front and rear lighting elements

    • Twenty-inch wheels paired with tires designed to balance responsive handling and a comfortable ride with efficiency

    • Interior design featuring cut-and-sew accented leather incorporating sueded microfiber, chrome, wood and available carbon fiber finishes throughout

    • Cadillac CUE with Navigation is standard. CUE is Cadillac's breakthrough system for connectivity and control, using Natural Voice Recognition, capacitive touch and hand gestures used on smart phones and tablets

    • Programmable charging schedules and downloadable energy efficiency reports available online and through smartphone notification charging alerts

    • Cadillac's advanced active safety features, including Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, along with available Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and full-speed-range adaptive cruise control

    • Advanced chassis and suspension systems, including HiPer Strut front suspension, compound-crank with Watts link rear suspension and Continuous Damping Control, which adjusts damping every two milliseconds for optimal ride and handling in all conditions

    • Standard premium Bose 10-channel audio system with active noise cancellation.

    ELR production begins in the United States in late 2013 with sales starting in early 2014 in North America and expanding to global markets including China and Europe.

    Design

    The Cadillac ELR has an aggressive, forward-leaning profile that introduces a new, progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac's design evolution. It carries over almost unchanged from the 2009 Converj concept that inspired it. The overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line accented by 20-inch wheels pushed to the edges of the body.

    "The ELR represents a new dimension of Art & Science, the guiding philosophy of Cadillac," said Mark Adams, Cadillac design director. "Cadillac's DNA is innovation, with dramatic and provocative design. ELR delivers this in a luxury coupe that stands alone among major luxury brands globally."

    Vertical headlamp and taillamp elements create Cadillac's signature for the ELR, day or night and from the front or rear – a brand tradition since 1948.

    Aerodynamics play a crucial role in the design as airflow is managed to help the vehicle slip through the air with minimal drag. A flush front fascia and grille – with active shutters behind the grille opening – as well as tapered fascia corners, enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler also manage airflow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag and contribute to ELR's 0.305 coefficient of drag.

    Inside, the ELR's classic 2+2 layout is driver focused, emphasizing modern luxury, connectivity and precisely crafted details. The leather-trimmed interior blends authentic chrome and wood accents – and available carbon fiber trim – as well as a sueded microfiber headliner and steering wheel covered in leather and sueded microfiber. Additional features include:

    • Eight-inch configurable instrument and driver information displays, offering four configurations ranging from elegantly simple to technologically enhanced information

    • Auto-glide/power-assisted covered storage/cup holder in the center console

    • Fold-down rear seat backs accommodate longer items, including multiple sets of golf clubs

    • LED-powered accent lighting in the instrument panel and doors

    • Available Opus semi-aniline leather seating.

    Cadillac CUE with Navigation is standard and accessible through a large, eight-inch, full-color capacitive-touch screen in the center of the instrument panel. It supports the electrified driving experience with displays on driving efficiency, energy usage, charging options and more, in addition to a broad range of infotainment options.

    Using Cadillac CUE via the touch screen features gesture recognition, proximity sensing (revealing information when needed) and a three-core microprocessor for faster response. Some features are accessible via steering-wheel controls and the motorized screen pivots up to reveal a hidden storage compartment with a USB port for phones and other personal items.

    Driving Experience

    The Cadillac ELR's dramatic design is matched with an engaging driving experience, supported by the EREV propulsion system calibrated for uncompromising performance. With 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm) – about 12 percent more than the 3.6L V-6 in the SRX – acceleration in the city and on the highway, including merging and passing, is achieved with reassuring power on demand.

    Driving confidence is further enhanced by advanced suspension and damping systems, including Continuous Damping Control – which adjusts damping every two milliseconds – to maintain optimal vehicle ride control over varying road surfaces and profiles. The ELR rolls on 20-inch wheels with specially engineered low-rolling-resistance tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability with efficiency.

    A solid, stable foundation underpins the ELR, featuring a body-frame-integral structure with main underbody rails running continuously from front to rear. Advanced, high-strength steels add strength and conserve weight. Additional contributors to the ELR's driving experience include:

    • Wide front and rear tracks – 62.1 inches (1,578 mm) in front and 62.4 inches (1,585 mm) in the rear – along with a long wheelbase (106.1 inches / 2,695 mm) and a low center of gravity

    • HiPer Strut front suspension featuring lightweight forged aluminum components for reduced weight and more nimble, responsive action

    • Dual-pinion, rack-mounted electric power steering system with premium ZF steering gear designed to provide excellent feedback while helping to save fuel

    • A semi-independent rear compound-crank suspension with Watts link that incorporates weight-optimized trailing arms to absorb lateral forces, allowing the suspension to be tuned to handle vertical, forward and rearward motions

    • Hydraulic ride bushings in the front and rear suspensions

    • An electro-hydraulic regenerative brake system that captures energy and sends it to the battery pack

    • Standard chassis control systems include antilock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control.

    Because the ELR operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.

    Propulsion and Charging Technology

    The ELR is powered by GM EREV technology, combining pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator capable of 154 kW (207 hp) of total system power.

    The ELR's battery is a T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels for optimal weight distribution. The 5.5-foot-long (1.6 m), 435-pound (198 kg) pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit capable of 295 lb.-ft. of instant torque (400 Nm) to propel the vehicle. Using only the energy stored in the battery, the ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles (56 km) of pure electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.

    A driver-selectable Hold mode directs when the ELR uses its electric generator. This feature helps optimize the electric-driving experience, allowing owners who mix city and highway driving to save the battery charge for city travel, where the ELR EV mode operates most efficiently.

    Charging the ELR's battery can be done with a 120V electrical outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle can be completely recharged in about 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.

    Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging according to departure time or when electricity rates are lower. Owners also can manage and monitor the ELR online or with their smartphone and RemoteLink, a mobile app powered by OnStar.

    The ELR's battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.

    Manufacturing

    The Cadillac ELR will be manufactured at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, the world's only automotive manufacturing facility that mass-produces extended-range electric vehicles for global markets in 21 countries. It is also home to Southeast Michigan's largest photovoltaic solar array. The 264,000-square-foot feature generates up to 516 kilowatts of electricity – enough to charge 150 ELRs per day.

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    Word is leaking that this will be around $70K. Anyone hear anything that would confrm or discount this?

    I was reading a book on the Chrysler Turbines in the 60's. I found a lot of similar traits. The drivers who got the car for 90 days all loved the styling, they even liked the Turbine engine even with the slow accelerations. There were many things they loved about the car but when asked in the Chrysler debrief if they would buy one at $20K in the mid 60's they all said no. They loved the car but not that much even if it was to have lasted 3 times longer as claimed by Chrysler.

    I think unless GM is in a real bind here they need to keep th price down more on the ELR. I was hoping for a $55K - 60K range. This way it would under cut the Tesla by a lot and not be that much over the Volt to make it a viable option to some who already like the Volt.

    They need to keep the price down to keep up volume and get people to give the Voltec a try. I never expected this car to sell more than 10K units but now it will be lucky to make 5K.

    GM has stated it would be limited volume and a limited offer on this car. That is good as that means they have no put some crazy expectation on it like they did on the Volt. Also I feel that means a second gen may not be too far off.

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    Big difference RE the Turbine's supposed floated $20K price; keep in mind there were NO cars in the $20K range in 1963, today $70K cars are dirt common & everyone's seen at least 1 or 2 mega-hundred-thousand cars. There weren't even the stratospheric collector prices in '63; the million-plus jobs. IOW, it's not a judgement on the car IMO, but the price.

    $70K for a very unique Cadillac coupe is certainly within the realm of the realistic. Let's wait & see where it's ultimately pegged.

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    I thought they were actually trying to move a unit or two. Well my unit hasn't moved, most certainly it has gone all frightened turtle after reading "$70k" for this pretty little golf cart.

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    Too much - that simple.

    And I love the design.

    I have to agree. I expected more rightfully but unless there is some thing hidden here there is not that much more in this car to make it worth that much more than a Volt.

    If I really wanted this technology I could easily forgo the bling for the Volt and save a lot of money.

    GM is either really losing their shirts on the Volt or are really over charging [pun not intended] for the ELR . Leather seats and better styling do not cost that much.

    Now if they had used a better engine or bigger batterys. Or if they plan to include fast charge charging stations installed or some other added value here.

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    The XLR had good styling and the retractable hard top, and a 320 hp V8 at the time was decent, but not great. The interior dropped the ball, and at $76k the car bombed.

    The ELR has good styling, but no convertible top, a weak engine, and the interior is better than the XLR, yet I don't think it is is much better than the ATS or XTS. The ELR will flop like the Allante and XLR if they price it up in that range. Just think, the ELR has the same horsepower as the Allante did 25 years ago.

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    You can not compare a XLR to the ELR as all they have in common is the emblem

    The XLR failed becase it was a more expensive underpowered Vette.

    The ELR is a better looking and better interor Volt. The question is will the interior and styling be enough to keep a hand full of people from paying less for the Volt.

    I wish they would just give this body an option to just come with a 2.0 Turbo sans battery.

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    I think the ELR will sell well to a certain customer base. I work in the pharma industry with people that make a large amount of income and have an air of class surrounding them. One day last fall while in a training, one such person commented about her commute in her newer Infiniti G37 coupe and said she'd love to get a hybrid but can't be seen in a Toyota, Honda or Chevy (though she admitted she liked the Volt). When I told her Cadillac was coming out with an electric car in mid-2013, she got all excited and said she could accept a Cadillac for her personal transportation. There is a certain perception surrounding "bread and butter" or "joe average" manufacturers. The Caddy version will help get the Volt technology out to those who can't be seen driving a Chevy. :rolleyes:

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    said she could accept a Cadillac for her personal transportation.

    So Cadillac has become "acceptable" transportation and not aspirational.

    About the XLR being an underpowered, overpriced Corvette, one could argue that the ELR is an overpriced and underpowered ATS coupe. The ELR may have a better looking grille than the ATS, but the ATS isn't stuck with FWD proportions and overhangs.

    You gotta wonder if Ford can make a plug-in Fusion for about $10k more than an SEL trim car, why not just make a plug-in ATS for $55k.

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    The ELR is a different kind of car to appeal to a new and growing segment of the market. It is not a car for everyone and GM has already said it does not expect high volumes.

    This car will help the Volt spread some cost, it will attract attention to Cadillac of people who never would have looked at them and it will enhance Cadillacs technology image. While Benz and BMW are making a big deal with the Night Vision that Cadillac did years ago that went unnoticed they can attract a lot of attention with this car.

    This is just part of Cadillacs efforts to rebuild their image.

    The truth is Cadillac is not going to work for high volume in most of their cars as time goes on. The volumes will remain the same while prices with continue to climb. The idea is to make it special to own a Cadillac and not be a car just anyone can have with a cheap lease. This transition will take some time and more and better new models but this is where they are going. The volume will increase just due to the fact they will be offering more models in a couple years.

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    said she could accept a Cadillac for her personal transportation.

    So Cadillac has become "acceptable" transportation and not aspirational.

    About the XLR being an underpowered, overpriced Corvette, one could argue that the ELR is an overpriced and underpowered ATS coupe. The ELR may have a better looking grille than the ATS, but the ATS isn't stuck with FWD proportions and overhangs.

    You gotta wonder if Ford can make a plug-in Fusion for about $10k more than an SEL trim car, why not just make a plug-in ATS for $55k.

    ATS starts at $30K and looks more homely than ELR. A plug-in version of that car will flop. At that price, buyers are looking for vanity, and ELR delivers.

    I actually like the proportions of ELR; it's almost like a MR car.

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    Flops don't help Cadillac's image, the Allante and XLR hurt more than they helped. That is what I am afraid of, another one and done car that gets joked about years later. The Allante and XLR had "great styling" and "interior better than any other Cadillac" at launch as well, and they tanked.

    The ATS does look a bit too homely, I think they dropped the ball on styling on that car. It isn't bad, but it doesn't make you say wow either. I look forward to the next CTS, they might get that one right.

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    The mission of the ELR is much different than the sport cars. It also has no pressure to sell in great volumes so even if sales are low the results are still in the expected range.

    As for the ATS stlying is subjective and you are in the minority. In all the test and opinion stories styling has not been an issues. Nor seeing one in person did I find any issue there.

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    Now that I have seen the Tesla S numbers on order this car might just suprise.

    Even at around $75K-105K there are around 20,000 Tesla S models on order. While not a bad looking car it is still not as nice looking as the ELR. Also the car is still saddled with slow and long charge times and is not a car the average person could live with if they travel far and often. Now the ELR could go to California and back with no issuea if you need to. No need to own a second car or rent one if you need to take a trip.

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    Tesla Model S can go up to 300 miles on a charge though, and the top line one has 0-60 times like a CTS-V. That thing is fast. The ELR is not fast, and yes it can drive 400 miles or so with gas, but then it is just a gas burning car. If you are going to burn gas, just buy an ATS and save $20,000, and the ATS has better handling and acceleration.

    I know GM needs to expand the models using Voltec/Delta II and that is why this car is here. But Cadillac has other needs and I'd rather seem them put the time and money into the cars they need and not low volume vanity projects.

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    Tesla Model S can go up to 300 miles on a charge though, and the top line one has 0-60 times like a CTS-V. That thing is fast. The ELR is not fast, and yes it can drive 400 miles or so with gas, but then it is just a gas burning car. If you are going to burn gas, just buy an ATS and save $20,000, and the ATS has better handling and acceleration.

    I know GM needs to expand the models using Voltec/Delta II and that is why this car is here. But Cadillac has other needs and I'd rather seem them put the time and money into the cars they need and not low volume vanity projects.

    I guess you have no clue of the 10 models they are already working on and will have out buy 2016. I see no issue with this car taking much away.

    The S cost with all options are $105,000 and would not make it across country in less than a week. You might get to 60 fast but it may take you a lot longer to get to California.

    Also from what I have read the fit and finish of the Tesla in Autoweek is very poor for the price paid.

    Neither car is the answer but the ELR is more inline with working with the daily driving needs and single car needs of the real world driver.

    Cadillac will not only offer the market the ELR but we will also have a nice choice of the ATS, New CTS and LTS. Next the new Escalade, SRX and small SUV to be anouncesd. There will be more than just these according to the reports.

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    I wouldn't buy a Tesla either if I had $100k to spend on a car, I'd get a Mercedes or Jaguar, and probably a Mercedes if I had that kind of money.

    Range isn't that big a factor to me either. I've driven 300 miles in one day once in the past 3 years. I very rarely drive more than 45 minutes away from my house, if I am traveling several states away I fly. But I'd take gas over batteries any day, batteries aren't good enough. If the ELR and ATS cost the same, I'd take the ATS.

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    Tesla Model S can go up to 300 miles on a charge though, and the top line one has 0-60 times like a CTS-V. That thing is fast. The ELR is not fast, and yes it can drive 400 miles or so with gas, but then it is just a gas burning car. If you are going to burn gas, just buy an ATS and save $20,000, and the ATS has better handling and acceleration.

    I know GM needs to expand the models using Voltec/Delta II and that is why this car is here. But Cadillac has other needs and I'd rather seem them put the time and money into the cars they need and not low volume vanity projects.

    I guess you have no clue of the 10 models they are already working on and will have out buy 2016. I see no issue with this car taking much away.

    The S cost with all options are $105,000 and would not make it across country in less than a week. You might get to 60 fast but it may take you a lot longer to get to California.

    Also from what I have read the fit and finish of the Tesla in Autoweek is very poor for the price paid.

    Neither car is the answer but the ELR is more inline with working with the daily driving needs and single car needs of the real world driver.

    Cadillac will not only offer the market the ELR but we will also have a nice choice of the ATS, New CTS and LTS. Next the new Escalade, SRX and small SUV to be anouncesd. There will be more than just these according to the reports.

    People who need to travel across the U.S. usually fly. The Model S's range is plenty for any sane human being with a bladder.

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    Neither car is the answer but the ELR is more inline with working with the daily driving needs and single car needs of the real world driver.

    Cadillac will not only offer the market the ELR but we will also have a nice choice of the ATS, New CTS and LTS. Next the new Escalade, SRX and small SUV to be anouncesd. There will be more than just these according to the reports.

    People who need to travel across the U.S. usually fly. The Model S's range is plenty for any sane human being with a bladder.

    True enough....I enjoy road trips, but in reality when I need to get somewhere 400, 500, 1000, 1500 or more miles away, I fly..driving is too time consuming. Real world use for me is at most 50 miles a day. I rarely go on trips in the 100-400 mile range because I've already been there (desert void).

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
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    I am always surprised how many miles I put on at the end of the day. It is reassuring to know I don't have to worry one second about how far I've traveled. I have no tether to my home when I leave.

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    Tesla Model S can go up to 300 miles on a charge though, and the top line one has 0-60 times like a CTS-V. That thing is fast. The ELR is not fast, and yes it can drive 400 miles or so with gas, but then it is just a gas burning car. If you are going to burn gas, just buy an ATS and save $20,000, and the ATS has better handling and acceleration.

    I know GM needs to expand the models using Voltec/Delta II and that is why this car is here. But Cadillac has other needs and I'd rather seem them put the time and money into the cars they need and not low volume vanity projects.

    I guess you have no clue of the 10 models they are already working on and will have out buy 2016. I see no issue with this car taking much away.

    The S cost with all options are $105,000 and would not make it across country in less than a week. You might get to 60 fast but it may take you a lot longer to get to California.

    Also from what I have read the fit and finish of the Tesla in Autoweek is very poor for the price paid.

    Neither car is the answer but the ELR is more inline with working with the daily driving needs and single car needs of the real world driver.

    Cadillac will not only offer the market the ELR but we will also have a nice choice of the ATS, New CTS and LTS. Next the new Escalade, SRX and small SUV to be anouncesd. There will be more than just these according to the reports.

    People who need to travel across the U.S. usually fly. The Model S's range is plenty for any sane human being with a bladder.

    Just an eample. I have made many trips Cleveland to Columbus and back, Cleveland to Indy and back. San Deigo to LA and back in one day. more than one. These are all out of the Tesla S range. Even my trips from LA to San Fran in two days could not be done with out adding at the least one full day to recharge to complete the run.

    Many here on the east coast have made the run to the resorts off the coast of NC and SC these would no longer be one day runs. Many have also done the 1-2 day runs to FL and those are gone.

    With air fair going up again these are common car trips. While even I have never drove east to west I and many have gone North and South on each coast.

    I could not count the many trips from San Deigo to LA and back I have in one day and with the travel miles plus my driving in LA I could not do it. 400 miles are easy to rack up and then have to find a place to plug in for over 12 hours is not always in the cards even in LA.

    The option of High miles and having a car that will not hold you up no matter what for 12 hours if you can find a charging station let alone one that is open.

    We must consider many may have an interest in an electric cars but it must not alture their life in what they precieve as a negitive way. Time is money.

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    Well I wonder how much the Tesla's range varies with weather conditions. Unless it is a miracle Power Wheels that is impervious to summer heat and winter cold. I'll never trust an electric.

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    Just an eample. I have made many trips Cleveland to Columbus and back, Cleveland to Indy and back. San Deigo to LA and back in one day. more than one. These are all out of the Tesla S range. Even my trips from LA to San Fran in two days could not be done with out adding at the least one full day to recharge to complete the run.

    Many here on the east coast have made the run to the resorts off the coast of NC and SC these would no longer be one day runs. Many have also done the 1-2 day runs to FL and those are gone.

    With air fair going up again these are common car trips. While even I have never drove east to west I and many have gone North and South on each coast.

    I could not count the many trips from San Deigo to LA and back I have in one day and with the travel miles plus my driving in LA I could not do it. 400 miles are easy to rack up and then have to find a place to plug in for over 12 hours is not always in the cards even in LA.

    The option of High miles and having a car that will not hold you up no matter what for 12 hours if you can find a charging station let alone one that is open.

    We must consider many may have an interest in an electric cars but it must not alture their life in what they precieve as a negitive way. Time is money.

    SD to LA is 121 miles according to Google Maps. With a 265 mile range, Model S will do a round trip.

    As for LA to SF, that's 382 miles. But there are two solar-powered Supercharger locations along I-5 that will give you 150 miles of charge in half an hour, the time it takes to eat lunch. More Superchargers will be built across the country, so eventually you'll be able to drive from coast to coast for free.

    http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger

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    Just an eample. I have made many trips Cleveland to Columbus and back, Cleveland to Indy and back. San Deigo to LA and back in one day. more than one. These are all out of the Tesla S range. Even my trips from LA to San Fran in two days could not be done with out adding at the least one full day to recharge to complete the run.

    Many here on the east coast have made the run to the resorts off the coast of NC and SC these would no longer be one day runs. Many have also done the 1-2 day runs to FL and those are gone.

    With air fair going up again these are common car trips. While even I have never drove east to west I and many have gone North and South on each coast.

    I could not count the many trips from San Deigo to LA and back I have in one day and with the travel miles plus my driving in LA I could not do it. 400 miles are easy to rack up and then have to find a place to plug in for over 12 hours is not always in the cards even in LA.

    The option of High miles and having a car that will not hold you up no matter what for 12 hours if you can find a charging station let alone one that is open.

    We must consider many may have an interest in an electric cars but it must not alture their life in what they precieve as a negitive way. Time is money.

    SD to LA is 121 miles according to Google Maps. With a 265 mile range, Model S will do a round trip.

    As for LA to SF, that's 382 miles. But there are two solar-powered Supercharger locations along I-5 that will give you 150 miles of charge in half an hour, the time it takes to eat lunch. More Superchargers will be built across the country, so eventually you'll be able to drive from coast to coast for free.

    http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger

    It is not 121 in the real world if you drive from La Mesa to Santa Barbra and make side trip to other points like Pomona and the like. I have racked up more than 400 miles in one day just traveling between the metro areas and the surrounding areas. In Ohio the range would be lower with the colder months.

    If you ake use of the superchargers or fastr charge on any electric car your battery life will be reduced much faster. These are only quick fixes and should only be used now and then.

    I have done Indy in one day many times and it is 500 miles [go figure] to from my drive way to the speedway. on a long day like this the first problem is no charging stations here and the second in a day that I will be up 22 hours I have little time to sit for a half our on the way home.

    Same here for going to Charlotte or Martinsville to the races. It is nothing for us to drive to Charlotte NC and then to Martinsville in one day from Ohio. Often we go back to Mt Airy to spend the night.

    I know these are examples of race track trips but many others here do the same to Virgina Beach, Mertle Beach and many other vacation spots. East of the Mississippi many of these are day trips. That go well beyond the range of the car and most of us seldom stop to even eat for 30 min.

    While things are not bad on these new EV cars they are still not there range wise or charging time wise with out hurting the battery. As for charging stations here in the east they are not poping up fast and they will be few in numbers for a good while. What do you do if the rare one you find has a line of more than one car?

    In general peple today are in a instant world and nothing can be gotten of done fast enough. The gas car has set a standard and untill the other types of vehicles can match or beat them in all areas they will remain only a slow growth market. Growing but slow.

    As of now the Volt has the only system I could live with in a vehilcle that is used for more than just driving to work.

    The one thing we have yet to see is how the public reacts once the battery is gone. How will they deal with a car that is used up as the battery cost is not cheap and the car is worthless with out one. WIth that many miles what do you do? Do you spend the money on a worn out car or do you just trash the car when the battery is gone. This will effect cars like the leaf more since it was cheap. The Volt you could continue at the least driving it. The Teslas higher cost may make the new battery a better option. The Leaf in 10 years would just need to be raked up and burned.

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    Just an eample. I have made many trips Cleveland to Columbus and back, Cleveland to Indy and back. San Deigo to LA and back in one day. more than one. These are all out of the Tesla S range. Even my trips from LA to San Fran in two days could not be done with out adding at the least one full day to recharge to complete the run.

    Many here on the east coast have made the run to the resorts off the coast of NC and SC these would no longer be one day runs. Many have also done the 1-2 day runs to FL and those are gone.

    With air fair going up again these are common car trips. While even I have never drove east to west I and many have gone North and South on each coast.

    I could not count the many trips from San Deigo to LA and back I have in one day and with the travel miles plus my driving in LA I could not do it. 400 miles are easy to rack up and then have to find a place to plug in for over 12 hours is not always in the cards even in LA.

    The option of High miles and having a car that will not hold you up no matter what for 12 hours if you can find a charging station let alone one that is open.

    We must consider many may have an interest in an electric cars but it must not alture their life in what they precieve as a negitive way. Time is money.

    SD to LA is 121 miles according to Google Maps. With a 265 mile range, Model S will do a round trip.

    As for LA to SF, that's 382 miles. But there are two solar-powered Supercharger locations along I-5 that will give you 150 miles of charge in half an hour, the time it takes to eat lunch. More Superchargers will be built across the country, so eventually you'll be able to drive from coast to coast for free.

    http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger

    It is not 121 in the real world if you drive from La Mesa to Santa Barbra and make side trip to other points like Pomona and the like. I have racked up more than 400 miles in one day just traveling between the metro areas and the surrounding areas. In Ohio the range would be lower with the colder months.

    If you ake use of the superchargers or fastr charge on any electric car your battery life will be reduced much faster. These are only quick fixes and should only be used now and then.

    I have done Indy in one day many times and it is 500 miles [go figure] to from my drive way to the speedway. on a long day like this the first problem is no charging stations here and the second in a day that I will be up 22 hours I have little time to sit for a half our on the way home.

    Same here for going to Charlotte or Martinsville to the races. It is nothing for us to drive to Charlotte NC and then to Martinsville in one day from Ohio. Often we go back to Mt Airy to spend the night.

    I know these are examples of race track trips but many others here do the same to Virgina Beach, Mertle Beach and many other vacation spots. East of the Mississippi many of these are day trips. That go well beyond the range of the car and most of us seldom stop to even eat for 30 min.

    While things are not bad on these new EV cars they are still not there range wise or charging time wise with out hurting the battery. As for charging stations here in the east they are not poping up fast and they will be few in numbers for a good while. What do you do if the rare one you find has a line of more than one car?

    In general peple today are in a instant world and nothing can be gotten of done fast enough. The gas car has set a standard and untill the other types of vehicles can match or beat them in all areas they will remain only a slow growth market. Growing but slow.

    As of now the Volt has the only system I could live with in a vehilcle that is used for more than just driving to work.

    The one thing we have yet to see is how the public reacts once the battery is gone. How will they deal with a car that is used up as the battery cost is not cheap and the car is worthless with out one. WIth that many miles what do you do? Do you spend the money on a worn out car or do you just trash the car when the battery is gone. This will effect cars like the leaf more since it was cheap. The Volt you could continue at the least driving it. The Teslas higher cost may make the new battery a better option. The Leaf in 10 years would just need to be raked up and burned.

    If you drive 400 miles per day on a routine basis, then the Model S isn't for you. For the 99.9% of the population who don't, then it's a fine car that will deal with all sorts of real world driving conditions and easily handle the occasional day trip thanks to its network of Superchargers.

    Chances are, if you can afford a $60K luxury car, the time costs of spending 8 hours on the road in a day are too great. Six hours are about the limit for me, and even so, I'd need to stop for food. Anymore than that -- I'm flying.

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    If you drive 400 miles per day on a routine basis, then the Model S isn't for you. For the 99.9% of the population who don't, then it's a fine car that will deal with all sorts of real world driving conditions and easily handle the occasional day trip thanks to its network of Superchargers.

    Chances are, if you can afford a $60K luxury car, the time costs of spending 8 hours on the road in a day are too great. Six hours are about the limit for me, and even so, I'd need to stop for food. Anymore than that -- I'm flying.

    Yep....I'm not going to waste a day getting to my destination unless it's a road trip. Last year I went to a number of races (Indy 500, Sonoma, Fontana, Long Beach) and other trips (San Diego, San Francisco, Ohio, Denver) that I didn't want to waste vacation days on driving from Phoenix when flying + rental car is cheap enough....maybe it's easier for some in the East where everything is close together but the West is very spread out and driving long distances is dull and time consuming. I might take more road trips if I lived in LA or Chicago or the East Coast, but in Phoenix it's a minimum of 400 miles across the void to any place I'd be interested in going, so I usually always fly..

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
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    If you drive 400 miles per day on a routine basis, then the Model S isn't for you. For the 99.9% of the population who don't, then it's a fine car that will deal with all sorts of real world driving conditions and easily handle the occasional day trip thanks to its network of Superchargers.

    Chances are, if you can afford a $60K luxury car, the time costs of spending 8 hours on the road in a day are too great. Six hours are about the limit for me, and even so, I'd need to stop for food. Anymore than that -- I'm flying.

    Yep....I'm not going to waste a day getting to my destination unless it's a road trip. Last year I went to a number of races (Indy 500, Sonoma, Fontana, Long Beach) and other trips (San Diego, San Francisco, Ohio, Denver) that I didn't want to waste vacation days on driving from Phoenix when flying + rental car is cheap enough....maybe it's easier for some in the East where everything is close together but the West is very spread out and driving long distances is dull and time consuming. I might take more road trips if I lived in LA or Chicago or the East Coast, but in Phoenix it's a minimum of 400 miles across the void to any place I'd be interested in going, so I usually always fly..

    Hell you have to be nuts to drive to anywhere from Phoenix to anywhere other than Vegas.

    Back east here in many cases with the way the airlines work you can get to many cities faster driving than flying. Direct flights to some cities are not alway cheap.

    Going to CA I will always fly but once I am there I drive. Too many places to stop and visit on the way to many of the places I go. I normally hit many of the Race shops and companies we deal with in CA, Give me a week and I can cover a lot of ground.

    I know the freeway system pretty good. Also the drive up the PCH is one not to be missed.

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    I love road trips and driving, no problem pulling 18hrs straight to drive to LA to go to Six flags or to visit relatives and see other sites and shows. But I know I am a dying breed as my kids want to be plugged into their electronics or sleep the whole damn time and not enjoy seeing America. The Y generation is truly lost out on what it is like to be in a freedom machine and drive the roads.

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    If you drive 400 miles per day on a routine basis, then the Model S isn't for you. For the 99.9% of the population who don't, then it's a fine car that will deal with all sorts of real world driving conditions and easily handle the occasional day trip thanks to its network of Superchargers.

    Chances are, if you can afford a $60K luxury car, the time costs of spending 8 hours on the road in a day are too great. Six hours are about the limit for me, and even so, I'd need to stop for food. Anymore than that -- I'm flying.

    Yep....I'm not going to waste a day getting to my destination unless it's a road trip. Last year I went to a number of races (Indy 500, Sonoma, Fontana, Long Beach) and other trips (San Diego, San Francisco, Ohio, Denver) that I didn't want to waste vacation days on driving from Phoenix when flying + rental car is cheap enough....maybe it's easier for some in the East where everything is close together but the West is very spread out and driving long distances is dull and time consuming. I might take more road trips if I lived in LA or Chicago or the East Coast, but in Phoenix it's a minimum of 400 miles across the void to any place I'd be interested in going, so I usually always fly..

    Hell you have to be nuts to drive to anywhere from Phoenix to anywhere other than Vegas.

    Back east here in many cases with the way the airlines work you can get to many cities faster driving than flying. Direct flights to some cities are not alway cheap.

    Going to CA I will always fly but once I am there I drive. Too many places to stop and visit on the way to many of the places I go. I normally hit many of the Race shops and companies we deal with in CA, Give me a week and I can cover a lot of ground.

    I know the freeway system pretty good. Also the drive up the PCH is one not to be missed.

    Never driven to Vegas..flown there a couple times.... if it's more than 3 hours to drive somewhere, I'd rather fly unless the drive was part of the objective...usually I'm on a 3 day weekend and the target location is the objective... usually it's something like a race weekend w/ a side trip to the wine country, a weekend at the beach, a weekend in SF or Denver, or visiting family in Ohio. When I went to the Indy Car race in Fontana last fall, though, I drove over since I had side trips to Santa Monica and Palm Springs planned. But I rented a Yukon since I wouldn't drive across the void in my own vehicles which have over 100k miles.

    Driving the PCH/Hwy I is fun, I've driven parts of it..I've enjoyed driving San Diego to Newport Beach and Monterey to San Francisco and northward. I'd like to take a road trip sometime from San Diego all the way up to Washington..I've driven some of the Oregon coast before.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
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    Speaking of flying, just think how much better flying would be if planes were designed by AMG. You'd get there in half the time and in extreme comfort.

    There's also the excitement of the wheels potentially not deploying during landing thanks to lousy electronics!

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    Come on up to Washington state and plan to drive what is considered one of the most beautiful drives in america. The North Cascade Highway.

    http://www.cascadeloop.com/

    National Geographic has continued to vote it as one of the top 10 drives you must do in America.

    That's on my to do list...I've driven many spectacular roads in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, but that one seems to in a class by itself. I've driven some incredible roads near the Columbia River in Oregon...pines and snow capped mountains...

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    If you drive 400 miles per day on a routine basis, then the Model S isn't for you. For the 99.9% of the population who don't, then it's a fine car that will deal with all sorts of real world driving conditions and easily handle the occasional day trip thanks to its network of Superchargers.

    Chances are, if you can afford a $60K luxury car, the time costs of spending 8 hours on the road in a day are too great. Six hours are about the limit for me, and even so, I'd need to stop for food. Anymore than that -- I'm flying.

    Yep....I'm not going to waste a day getting to my destination unless it's a road trip. Last year I went to a number of races (Indy 500, Sonoma, Fontana, Long Beach) and other trips (San Diego, San Francisco, Ohio, Denver) that I didn't want to waste vacation days on driving from Phoenix when flying + rental car is cheap enough....maybe it's easier for some in the East where everything is close together but the West is very spread out and driving long distances is dull and time consuming. I might take more road trips if I lived in LA or Chicago or the East Coast, but in Phoenix it's a minimum of 400 miles across the void to any place I'd be interested in going, so I usually always fly..

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