Autoblog

Is this dub-rockin' Chevrolet Volt actually a Cadillac Converj in disguise?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Etc., Technology, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Electric

Our spy photographers managed to spot something curious (and decidedly hilarious) recently. General Motors has been busy testing what would appear to be Chevrolet Volt models with massive 20-inch wheels and tires in place of the low-rolling resistance pieces on the stock plug-in.

Why? Guesses are slim at the moment, but one hypothesis is that this is actually our first glimpse at a Cadillac Converj test mule. That vehicle will make use of an altered version of the Voltec drivetrain found in the Chevrolet, albeit bolted to flashier wheels. The luxury hybrid has been an on-again-off-again affair for General Motors since the concept first rolled across the stage at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Last we heard, the Converj is on track for launch in either 2013 or 2014. If true, now would be the time to begin working out any engineering bugs on the rumored Voltec 1.5 system. With luxury buyers more willing to hand over stacks of cash for new technology, the Converj could make quite a bit more sense to buyers than the Volt. Or bolting chrome dubs to a hybrid, for that matter.

Is this dub-rockin' Chevrolet Volt actually a Cadillac Converj in disguise? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac confirms production ELR coupe using Chevy Volt technology [w/video]

John Neff — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST

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

Cadillac has just announced that the production version of its 2009 Detroit Auto Show show star, the Converj Concept, is on the way. Dubbed ELR and borrowing technology from the Chevrolet Volt, the on-again, off-again angular coupe had been rumored anew in the last few days. Now, Cadillac has officially confirmed that development of the extended-range electric coupe is already underway.

While no specs are being given, Cadillac is confirming that the ELR will use a version of the same Voltec drivetrain as the Volt, though probably v1.5, and the on-board generator will again be a gasoline four-cylinder engine.

The Wreath and Crest brand isn't giving much insight as to why the letters E-L-R have been chosen, only saying they want to "indicate the car's electric propulsion technology" and remain consistent with the brand's three-letter naming scheme. Maybe they stand for "Electric Luxury Ride," or maybe someone over at General Motors is a big Everybody Loves Raymond fan. What do you think ELR stands for? Have your say in Comments.

Continue reading Cadillac confirms production ELR coupe using Chevy Volt technology [w/video]

Cadillac confirms production ELR coupe using Chevy Volt technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Converj gets production green light again?

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST

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

Unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac Converj concept is perhaps General Motors most on-again, off-again vehicle in recent years. Based on the Chevrolet Volt, the Converj is a plug-in hybrid coupe with chiseled lines and a Wreath and Crest badge.

This production/non-production saga continues with Green Car Reports claiming "an inside source at General Motors" has confirmed the Converj is back on, meaning Cadillac is gearing up to launch the plug-in hybrid in 2013 or 2014. GCR's source says the production Converj - likely to end up with a three-letter model designation - will get a "generation 1.5 Voltec" propulsion system. If true, then the extended-range coupe will feature a slightly modified version of the powertrain that currently resides in all Chevy Volts.

We certainly have our doubts on this one, but there are two reasons to keep hope alive that the Converj will indeed make it to production. First, Green Car Reports told AutoblogGreen that the unnamed source, "has been completely on the money in the past." Second, a plug-in Cadillac makes more financial sense than a Chevy Volt. We'll wait for word from GM before we know if we should be waving hello or goodbye to the Converj this time around.

Cadillac Converj gets production green light again? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Cadillac working on plug-in hybrid version of SRX

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:55:00 EST

2010 Cadillac SRX 2.8T - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember the Cadillac Converj, the beautiful plug-in hybrid concept that General Motors was going to build but then decided against bringing to market? That program is still as dead as ever (at least as far as we know), but Reuters is reporting that the luxury marque is still interested in putting a PHEV powertrain into one of its vehicles, in this case a version of the Cadillac SRX crossover. Sources say the PHEV SRX would share some of the technology from the Chevrolet Volt and from the plug-in hybrid SUV programs that Buick and Saturn worked on.

This is not the first time the SRX has been targeted for a greening. Back in April 2009, we heard that the Cadillac SRX was supposed to get GM's two-mode hybrid powertrain installed, but that never happened. Our own sources say that no plug-in SRX will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but we might see it in 2011. Maybe.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Cadillac working on plug-in hybrid version of SRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Once and For All? Lutz text message reportedly confirms Cadillac Converj is dead

Chris Paukert — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Technology, Cadillac, GM, Design/Style

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

Although previously the subject of some early obituaries, it appears that the future of the Cadillac Converj showcar is indeed at a dead-end. According to Automotive News, a production future for the rakish extended-range coupe has been scuttled due to "priorities and the conviction that the Volt and Ampera will use all available capacity for years to come" - that's according to a text message from General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz.

Lutz, who is himself retiring on May 1, openly championed the Converj, including telling members of the Society of Automotive Analysts that the car would be built after 2012. Prevailing logic also had the well-received 2009 Detroit Auto Show concept getting the green light, if only because affixing a higher-margin Cadillac badge to its flanks would presumably help GM recover some of its massive investment in the E-Rev technology it shared with the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. However, in a Bloomberg report from earlier this month, some company managers apparently successfully argued that the business case for the Converj could not be made.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Photos by Drew Phillips / Frank Filliponio / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Once and For All? Lutz text message reportedly confirms Cadillac Converj is dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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BREAKING: Detroit News says GM will build Cadillac Converj

Chris Paukert — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Cadillac, GM, Design/Style, Electric, Luxury, Electric

2009 Cadillac Converj concept - click above for high-res gallery

After much hemming and hawing, General Motors will reportedly build a version of the Cadillac Converj, the gorgeous but awkwardly named extended-range coupe concept first shown at last year's Detroit Auto Show. According to The Detroit News, the Converj will probably take a few years to reach dealer showrooms, as GM will first direct its efforts on launching the Chevrolet Volt, the more affordable sedan with which it is likely to share much of its Voltec drivetrain architecture.

From where we sit, the Converj seems like a natural move for GM, as Cadillac's higher margins should help offset the research, development, and production costs of everything from the Volt's lithium ion batteries to its motors and control modules. For its part, however, Cadillac is still declining to comment on the story, and the DetNews story doesn't name a source.

Either way, GM vice chairman Bob Lutz has previously gone on record as a champion of a production Converj, and he has said that a serial version would look very similar to the 2009 showcar - in much the same way that the Camaro evolved from concept to production. As the concept was gorgeous, we're down with that - we only hope it doesn't take as long to build as the Bowtie's broad-shouldered muscle car.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Gallery: Cadillac Converj concept

[Source: The Detroit News]

BREAKING: Detroit News says GM will build Cadillac Converj originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:57:00 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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REPORT: Cadillac pinning its hopes on 'sub-CTS' model and new flagship sedan

Chris Shunk — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

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

Cadillac has a legitimate contender on its hands with the CTS. The luxury sedan is selling pretty well considering the down market, and it will soon be joined by wagon and coupe variants in the not too distant future. Beyond the CTS, though, Cadillac's car offerings have been less successful.

According to The Detroit Bureau, Cadillac is hoping to improve its standing by bookending the CTS with a smaller BMW 3-Series fighter and an all-new flagship. The website quotes Cadillac Marketing Chief Steve Shannon as saying that a sub-CTS is 24-30 months away. Cadillac designers are evidently working on sedan, hatchback, wagon, and convertible variants, although it is unclear what markets would receive what variants. Shannon believes the small Caddy could be the global sales leader for Cadillac, and diesel powerplants may be available at home and abroad. The question remains whether the sub-CTS would come in the form of the RWD Alpha platform GM is rumored to be working on, or a FWD platform in the mold of the Converj concept from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

For a while now, rumors have swirled that Cadillac would fold its slow-selling STS and long-serving DTS models into one new successor. The top-line Cadillac has always been too close in size to the CTS (which is itself larger than most of its cross-shops), and sales never really took off for either - at least outside of the livery market. GM is reportedly looking to change that with a new model that will better differentiate itself from the CTS in terms of size, price, amenities, and style. We've been hearing about a new replacement for some time, with most talk surrounding whether or not the project is on hold. Though the replacement sedan would be larger than the STS, Shannon insists that fuel economy would be a top priority considering the ever-tightening standards worldwide.

The real question for Cadillac is whether or not GM will be able to afford the new models. If the General goes into bankruptcy, nobody really knows what stands to get cut. Shannon optimistically says that GM's brand bloodletting could work in Cadillac's favor, though. With fewer brands to feed, GM's luxury division could finally get the attention it so richly deserves.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

REPORT: Cadillac pinning its hopes on 'sub-CTS' model and new flagship sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:27:00 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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Limited cash to keep GM from green-lighting Cadillac Converj?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:27:00 EST

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

Click image above for a gallery of Cadillac Converj live shots

General Motors' increasingly empty coffers could consign the Cadillac Converj show car to 'concept only' status. The Detroit Auto Show coupe has been the subject of production rumors since before it rolled onto the stage in Cobo earlier last week, but now Automotive News is reporting that GM may not have enough money to make Converj a reality.

AN quotes GM vice chairman Bob Lutz as saying that the Converj is far from a done deal:

"Ready to go? Well, first we have to prove to ourselves that we have the money... and then that it's a high enough priority to displace something else, and that we can actually make money on the vehicle, and that there is potential customer interest and so forth. We haven't done any of that work yet."

Our take? The angularly gorgeous Cadillac was designed around the same extended-range Voltec architecture as Chevrolet's forthcoming Volt, itself a spectacularly expensive research and development effort. GM is clearly committed to making the Volt a production reality, and if it ever has hopes of making money on its plug-in hybrid technology, a higher-priced, higher-margin product like from an upper-crust brand like Cadillac would seem like one of the best ways to defray R&D costs. In short, GM may still have to conduct due diligence on the Converj's business case, but if there's any money at all left in the company's bank accounts, we still think the future for the showstopper is a bright one. Given the 2011 date attached to the Volt, we would expect the Caddy to roll into showrooms for 2012.

Let's just hope it arrives in showrooms wearing a new name.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Gallery: Cadillac Converj concept

[Source: Automotive News: subs. req.]

Limited cash to keep GM from green-lighting Cadillac Converj? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:27:00 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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