Anyone who thinks the Chevy Volt is expensive is not going to like this news. In fact, anyone who wants plug-in vehicles to succeed is probably not going to like how the just-announced base price for the 2014 Cadillac ELR electric luxury coupe will give ammunition to anyone who says these kinds of cars are too expensive. We'll cut to the chase: the ELR starts at $75,000, way more than previously predicted.
Sure, that's before any possible government incentives (from the feds, that can be up to $7,500) but it's also *before the $995 destination charge and other fees. GM highlights the fact that, when you add everything up, you could get an ELR for "as low as $68,495," but that's also roughly where a Tesla Model S starts. Given that Tesla has sold a lot of those EVs, maybe the ELR price point is what GM CEO Dan Akerson meant when he recently said, "If you want to compete head-to-head with Tesla, and we ultimately will, you want to do it with a Cadillac." We know GM has been watching the California start-up closely. Even if GM has Tesla in its sights, the powertrain in the ELR is basically the same as what's in the $34,995 Volt, a 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that offers up to 35 all-electric highway miles and 82 MPGe.
The ELR certainly looks very different – and premium – and we're expecting a drop-dead gorgeous interior, but that's still a boatload of cash, especially considering how well the Volt has(n't) sold. We shall see how the buying public responds when the Cadillac ELR goes on sale in January "in all major US metropolitan areas." One special feature? ELR buyers can call a special phone number – 855 4 CAD ELR - for "white-glove customer care."
How do you feel about this pricing news? Have your say in Comments, but be sure to vote in our poll below first.
Sure, that's before any possible government incentives (from the feds, that can be up to $7,500) but it's also *before the $995 destination charge and other fees. GM highlights the fact that, when you add everything up, you could get an ELR for "as low as $68,495," but that's also roughly where a Tesla Model S starts. Given that Tesla has sold a lot of those EVs, maybe the ELR price point is what GM CEO Dan Akerson meant when he recently said, "If you want to compete head-to-head with Tesla, and we ultimately will, you want to do it with a Cadillac." We know GM has been watching the California start-up closely. Even if GM has Tesla in its sights, the powertrain in the ELR is basically the same as what's in the $34,995 Volt, a 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that offers up to 35 all-electric highway miles and 82 MPGe.
The ELR certainly looks very different – and premium – and we're expecting a drop-dead gorgeous interior, but that's still a boatload of cash, especially considering how well the Volt has(n't) sold. We shall see how the buying public responds when the Cadillac ELR goes on sale in January "in all major US metropolitan areas." One special feature? ELR buyers can call a special phone number – 855 4 CAD ELR - for "white-glove customer care."
How do you feel about this pricing news? Have your say in Comments, but be sure to vote in our poll below first.
Cadillac ELR Sales to Begin in January
Nationwide distribution, pricing announced for electric luxury coupe
2013-10-11
DETROIT – Initial sales of the 2014 Cadillac ELR electrified luxury coupe will begin in January in all major U.S. metropolitan areas featuring provocative design and extended range electric vehicle technology.
Designed for a new generation of technology-driven luxury buyers, the 2014 ELR has a starting price of $75,995, including a $995 destination charge but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. Upon IRS certification of an anticipated federal tax credit, purchasers may be eligible for a tax credit from $0 to $7,500 depending on individual tax liability. Net pricing after tax credits could be as low as $68,495, including $995 destination.
"The ELR is a unique blend of dramatic design with electric vehicle technology capable of total range in excess of 300 miles," said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president Global Cadillac. "ELR is also unique in that it will be offered nationwide within a luxury customer experience, with proven benefits and care extending from the shopping process all the way through the ownership experience."
Dealers nationwide are specially trained and certified to sell and service the 2014 ELR. Backing up the dealership experience, prospective customers and buyers of the ELR can take advantage of their own ELR Concierge Representative. Trained in white-glove customer care, the Concierge Representative is an additional point of contact for information on battery care, home charging, service scheduling, news and updates by calling 855 4 CAD ELR (855-422-3357).
As with all Cadillac models, the ELR comes standard with Cadillac Shield, a comprehensive suite of owner benefits including Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, a Premium Care Maintenance program and 24/7 roadside assistance. For added peace of mind, the ELR also comes with an extended battery and propulsion warranty of eight years or100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a four-year or 50,000-mile, whichever comes first, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
The ELR comes equipped with standard advanced technology features such as Cadillac CUE with Navigation accessible through a large, eight-inch, full-color capacitive-touch screen, light-emitting diode, or LED, front and rear exterior lighting, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, the Safety Alert Seat and the exclusive Regen on Demand™ feature, allowing the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the vehicle's momentum via steering-wheel paddles.
The ELR interior features handcrafted leather complemented by authentic wood grain and chrome trim.
Powering the ELR is a combination of pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator. A T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels to make the most of weight distribution. The pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit to propel the vehicle.
ELR is capable of a total driving range in excess of 300 miles. Using only the energy stored in the battery, ELR's initial range is about 35 highway miles, or 82 MPGe, of electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and ambient temperature. Official EPA estimates are not yet available.
The ELR also offers unique driving features, including four driving modes – default Tour mode, the more-responsive Sport mode, a Mountain mode that maintains charge in hilly terrain and Hold mode, which allows drivers to select when to use battery power or the gas-powered generator.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac's media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.
Nationwide distribution, pricing announced for electric luxury coupe
2013-10-11
DETROIT – Initial sales of the 2014 Cadillac ELR electrified luxury coupe will begin in January in all major U.S. metropolitan areas featuring provocative design and extended range electric vehicle technology.
Designed for a new generation of technology-driven luxury buyers, the 2014 ELR has a starting price of $75,995, including a $995 destination charge but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. Upon IRS certification of an anticipated federal tax credit, purchasers may be eligible for a tax credit from $0 to $7,500 depending on individual tax liability. Net pricing after tax credits could be as low as $68,495, including $995 destination.
"The ELR is a unique blend of dramatic design with electric vehicle technology capable of total range in excess of 300 miles," said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president Global Cadillac. "ELR is also unique in that it will be offered nationwide within a luxury customer experience, with proven benefits and care extending from the shopping process all the way through the ownership experience."
Dealers nationwide are specially trained and certified to sell and service the 2014 ELR. Backing up the dealership experience, prospective customers and buyers of the ELR can take advantage of their own ELR Concierge Representative. Trained in white-glove customer care, the Concierge Representative is an additional point of contact for information on battery care, home charging, service scheduling, news and updates by calling 855 4 CAD ELR (855-422-3357).
As with all Cadillac models, the ELR comes standard with Cadillac Shield, a comprehensive suite of owner benefits including Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, a Premium Care Maintenance program and 24/7 roadside assistance. For added peace of mind, the ELR also comes with an extended battery and propulsion warranty of eight years or100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a four-year or 50,000-mile, whichever comes first, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
The ELR comes equipped with standard advanced technology features such as Cadillac CUE with Navigation accessible through a large, eight-inch, full-color capacitive-touch screen, light-emitting diode, or LED, front and rear exterior lighting, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, the Safety Alert Seat and the exclusive Regen on Demand™ feature, allowing the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the vehicle's momentum via steering-wheel paddles.
The ELR interior features handcrafted leather complemented by authentic wood grain and chrome trim.
Powering the ELR is a combination of pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator. A T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels to make the most of weight distribution. The pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit to propel the vehicle.
ELR is capable of a total driving range in excess of 300 miles. Using only the energy stored in the battery, ELR's initial range is about 35 highway miles, or 82 MPGe, of electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and ambient temperature. Official EPA estimates are not yet available.
The ELR also offers unique driving features, including four driving modes – default Tour mode, the more-responsive Sport mode, a Mountain mode that maintains charge in hilly terrain and Hold mode, which allows drivers to select when to use battery power or the gas-powered generator.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac's media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.
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