Autoblog

Report: Cadillac Converj production program killed

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Cadillac, Electric, Luxury

2009 Cadillac Converj Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just when it seemed like the gorgeous Cadillac Converj extended-range electric vehicle (ER-EV) was going to make it to production, it now appears that the program might be dead. Strictly speaking, although General Motors executives had indicated that the Volt-based coupe would be produced, it had never officially been announced as a production program.

Nonetheless, Bloomberg is reporting that the program has been canceled for business reasons. Apparently, Cadillac came to the conclusion that even as a Cadillac, the car couldn't be profitable with the level of amenities that customers would expect. The extra equipment would apparently have cut the electric range to only 20 miles, defeating some of the purpose of an ER-EV and its ability to cover most driver's needs without using gas. Given the slow sales high-end hybrids like the Escalade and Lexus LS600h, this may be the right move for GM.

According to Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell, there is "Nothing to be announced" and the program was "not to a point in which development would be occurring in earnest in any case." Caldwell goes on to say "There can naturally be a lot of careful review over an idea as big and ambitious as this. And that can go back-and-forth. Vehicle plans can be revised numerous times before reaching production, or being declined."

Instead of the Converj, Cadillac will reportedly focus on less expensive plug-in hybrids like the XTS concept that was shown in Detroit.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Gallery: Cadillac Converj concept

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Cadillac Converj production program killed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mystery small Cadillac spotted - ATS or Converj?

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:07:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Cadillac

A previously unseen prototype has been spotted wearing surprisingly light camouflage. Given the visible details at the back of the car, this appears to quite clearly be a Cadillac of some sort, as the vertical taillamps and the horizontal spoiler/high-mounted stop lamp are dead giveaways. The confusion lies with the rest of the car. While Burlapp Cars is speculating that this may be a prototype of the upcoming ATS that will slot in below the CTS, we have our doubts. The styling buck we saw at GM's design center last summer was a notchback two-door, and we would expect a four-door sedan to follow a similar layout.

A more likely scenario is that this is a prototype of a four-door Converj. The Chevrolet Volt-based Converj appeared at last year's Detroit Auto Show as a two-door coupe with a similar profile to this car. The car in the photos appears to offer similar proportions to the Volt.

It's certainly possible that Cadillac has shifted design directions for the ATS to go with this fastback look. It's also possible that Cadillac is developing a five-door hatch based on the ATS for the European market to go up against the Audi A5 Sportback and the Gran Turismo version of the next generation BMW 3 series that was recently spotted testing. Thanks to Ed for the tip!

[Source: Burlapp Cars]

Spy Shots: Mystery small Cadillac spotted - ATS or Converj? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #152 - Paukert enhanced!

Dan Roth — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

The usual suspects of Chris, Sam, and Dan are joined this week by Autoblog Editor Extraordinaire Chris Paukert. It's a packed 'cast, starting with the apparent go-ahead of the Cadillac Converj. The future of the Dodge Viper figures in to a few minutes of debate, as does Chrysler's marathon presentation about the company's plans going forward. Moving from Chrysler to the company's former overlords at Daimler, we talk about Mr. Paukert's Wild Ride in the AMG SLS, and take a complete left turn into Ford Ranger land and talk about the one we won't be getting. Toyota's floor mat/throttle controversy finishes up the topics before we take a couple questions and call it a night. A good, solid hour and a half for your enjoyment.

Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Gallery: Podcast listener pictures

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #152 - Paukert enhanced!

Autoblog Podcast #152 - Paukert enhanced! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac Converj has a new lease on life, maybe

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury

Cadillac Converj Concept - Click image above for high-res gallery

Last we knew, the fate of the Cadillac Converj vehicle was unknown and remained "a concept vehicle undergoing a review that has not yet concluded." Resistance to putting the Voltec plug-in powertrain into a Cadillac apparently came not only from the Treasury Department (when General Motors was still in bankruptcy) but also some executives within the company.

BusinessWeek names the resisting execs as GM North America President Troy Clarke and Mark McNabb, who ran Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab. Note the past tense there: both Clarke and McNabb no longer work at GM. One of the Converj's strongest proponents, Bob Lutz, remains with the company. While nothing has been officially decided - some inside GM think the Volt should have been a Caddy all along while others don't think that luxury car buyers care about being green - don't count the Converj out yet.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

[Source: BusinessWeek]

REPORT: Cadillac Converj has a new lease on life, maybe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars

Fisker Karma Sunset Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fisker's undeniably gorgeous Karma Sunset concept was named the 2009 Production Preview Vehicle of the Year at the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards last night at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit. Organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization, the jurors also lauded VW's Concept BlueSport Roadster as the 2009 Concept Car of the Year and named the Cadillac Converj

"The Fisker Karma Sunset is just drop dead gorgeous" - juror Michael Bettencourt

the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009. The Kia Soul'ster won Concept Truck of the Year.

Aside from the Soul'ster, the winners combine an alternative fuel powerplant (plug-in hybrid, diesel or ER-EV) with lust-worthy design. We'll see if this does anything to dispense with the myth that green = fugly. The jury considered 23 concepts and 11 production preview vehicles that were introduced during the 2009 auto show season before selecting the top cars. See more pictures of the winners after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S

[Source: Southeast Automotive Media Organization, Fisker]

Continue reading Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards

Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors reportedly approves Cadillac Converj for production *UPDATE

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Cadillac, GM

Cadillac Converj - Click above for a high-res image gallery

At the Detroit Auto Show in January, General Motors surprised the crowd with a concept coupe called the Cadillac Converj. Built on the same Voltec platform as the Chevrolet Volt, the Converj was seen as a way for GM to leverage the pricey ER-EV drivetrain in a vehicle that could sell at a premium price, recovering some of the development costs. According to Motor Trend, the Converj has been given the green light for production in 2011, a year after the Volt launches. When we talked to GM's Bob Kruse at the Detroit show, he indicated a production Converj would likely use the same powertrain as the Volt, although it could have different calibrations to allow somewhat higher performance than the Chevrolet.

If the Converj does move forward, the proportions might have to change in order to use the same under-structure as the Volt. However, the larger stumbling block to building the Converj is money - or a lack thereof. Unless some kind of deal is struck between the Treasury and Energy Departments to allows GM to tap into ATVM loans, there won't be enough cash in GM's coffers to build the Converj.

*UPDATE: GM spokesman David Darovitz has just told us: "The status of the Cadillac Converj concept has not changed - it's still a concept vehicle undergoing a review that has not yet concluded. "

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

[Source: Motor Trend]

General Motors reportedly approves Cadillac Converj for production *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac considering four-door Converj

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Cadillac, GM

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac Converj Concept

GM is beating on the drums -- softly, to be sure -- and the message they're sending is that the Cadillac Converj Concept could see production. The first issue with building such a car is money, and GM's problems in that arena are already well-documented. If that hurdle were to be cleared, GM has said that the next question is the number of doors: two or four?

A four-door car has a much better chance at the kind of volume GM would need in order to make the Converj a worthy proposition and Lutz apparently said that a production Converj would be as close to the concept as the production Camaro. If GM adds an extra set of doors while maintaining the go-fast profile, it would still have a car that could drive straight into a buyer's heart.

But how much would it cost? The Volt -- under the mass-market Chevy brand -- is expected to run about $40,000 when it arrives. Add in the brand premium and the requisite luxury accoutrements, and when it's tallied up, a theoretical Cadillac version is likely to wear a substantially higher sticker price. Would buyers be ready to embrace it?

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

[Source: Motor Trend]

REPORT: Cadillac considering four-door Converj originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Eyes on Design Awards for best concept, best production vehicle

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Supercars, Audi, BMW, Cadillac

Click any image above for a high-res gallery

Each year, the Detroit Auto Show plays host to the Eyes on Design Awards, where a group of judges descend into the bowels of Cobo Hall to pick their favorite vehicles from the show. The nominees are predictably divided into two categories: Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle and Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle.

This year's ceremony was MC'd by our very own John McElroy from Autoline Detroit, with judging duties handled by BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The two winners for production vehicle were the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4, while Audi Sportback and Cadillac Converj took home the best concept awards. Check out all four vehicles in the galleries below and let the judges know your own picks in the comments.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI

Gallery: Detroit 2009: BMW Z4

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback Concept

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Detroit 2009: Eyes on Design Awards for best concept, best production vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/ VIDEO]

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:44:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Green, Cadillac

Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept

Cadillac just took the wraps off a new concept based on the Chevy Volt's "Voltec" drivetrain (that's a new moniker, by the way). The angular coupe is called the Converj and it is drop-dead gorgeous. With styling that is instantly recognizable as Cadillac, Bob Lutz told us at the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own. It's just a great shape that holds great promise. Lutz and Co. referred to the Converj as the "CADILLAC OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES" and even if that sounds trite, it could well bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car heap, with a solid foundation of SRX and CTS below it.

Like the Chevrolet Volt, GM says the Converj will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, and it will have a small helper motor to help drivers avoid "range anxiety." That's the term for the fear of running out of charge when you're still miles away from your final destination. As Lutz pointed out, you can't run down to the gas station for a 5-gallon can of electricity. There's a lengthy press release after the jump with plenty of stats. All we can say is that we'd love to hear that that the Converj is going into production tomorrow, but the reality of GM's current financial situation probably means they won't be able to make any firm commitments for awhile. Hit the jump to view video of the live unveiling.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Gallery: Cadillac Converj concept

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/ VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/ VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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