GM unveils plug-in hybrid technology on Cadillac Converj
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 13 January 2009
General Motors has unveiled the Cadillac Converj Concept - a four-passenger high-end coupe with GM's Voltec plug-in hybrid tech, as seen on the Chevy Volt.
The technology enables up to 40 miles of electric-only driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles with a flexfuel combustion engine back-up to power the car.
GM VC of product Bob Lutz indicated that the technology on the Caddy coupe indicates that luxury models have an alternative-fuel future
The extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) concept is intended to stand up to scrutiny as a Cadillac model as far as styling,quality and driving dynamics are concerned, says GM.
The Cadillac Converj’s Voltec electric propulsion system is made up of a 16-kWh battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator.
The battery pack can be recharged from mains outlets and contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that power to drive the Converj electrically up to 40 miles. The battery pack takes less than three hours to recharge the battery at 240V, or eight hours from a 120V outlet, reckons GM.
When the battery’s energy is low, the Converj switches to extended-range mode using a flex-fuel-powered engine that generates electricity to power the electric drive system, extending range by hundreds of miles. The Converj also features regenerative braking.
The Converj converts electrical energy from the battery or the engine-generator into mechanical energy to drive the front wheels – delivering 273lb-ft of instant torque and 161bhp of power resulting in a top speed is 100 mph.
The Converj also features GM’s Magnetic Ride Control for improved ride comfort, dark silver 'Reaction' tri-coat, all-glass roof incorporating solar panels and aerodynamic styling.
Inside there's Midnight Black leather, with polished aluminium and wood grain accents, renewable materials and drivers centre, which includes LED technology; touch-screen navigation, climate, centre-stack controls and audio systems; overhead white ambient lighting; screen displays for regenerative braking, battery charge level and power output; panoramic cameras instead of interior mirrors and push-button ignition.
See Also:
Click here for more Cadillac stories
Click here for Cadillac cars data
Click here for more Concept stories
Click here for more Detroit Show stories
Click here for more Electric vehicles stories
Click here for more Luxury stories
The new Mercedes S class has a sophisticated radar-based braking system - when it works. A demonstration ended up in a 3-car pile-up filmed by German TV.
Ford Verve Concept set to replace Fiesta by mid-2008.
The city car hybrid Audi A1 Metroproject quattro has been leaked ahead of its debut at the Tokyo Show.
Potential new owners, car enthusiasts and the motoring media alike eagerly await any new S-Class. Find out what our reviewer thought when he took it for a test drive.
Land Rover is alive and kicking and about to embark on one of its busiest ever new model launch programmes. The 2010 Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have just been unveiled.
advertisement
In today's news round up, Citroen celebrates 40 years since the launch of the SM, Fiat reveals new ad campaign, Nissan stages retailer awards and the IAM researches elderly drivers. | 11/03/2010 16:15:32
Toyota has announced a pay freeze for all UK workers at its Burnaston and Deesside plants, but all UK employees will return to full-time work in April 2010. | 11/03/2010 09:19:10
The UK motor industry has urged the Government to help, not hinder, the recovery of the new car market when the budget is announced on 24 March. | 10/03/2010 16:19:18
The Polo is a very good supermini - probably the best, but only with the correct engine | 10/03/2010 12:07:39
The Volkswagen Polo range is to be extended further with the addition of 80.7mpg 91g/km Polo Bluemotion models, which use a 1.2-litre TDI diesel three cylinder engine. | 10/03/2010 11:59:04
|08/03/2010 10:12:54
Peugeot cars have delivered up to 90mpg in real world driving conditions, the French manufacturer claims.
|08/03/2010 10:42:53
Toyota has been displaying EV, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell hybrid technologies at the Geneva motor show, including the FT-EVII concept, the precursor of an urban EV model that Toyota plans to market in the USA in 2012.
|08/03/2010 10:16:45
As the hullabaloo of the Geneva Show, with its hybrids and EVs, fades there's the largely unheralded news that Taiwan now boasts its own car manufacturer in the shape of LuxGen.
|08/03/2010 09:49:02
Citroen is launching a new iPhone app to coincide with the launch of the all-new DS3 'premium supermini.
|08/03/2010 10:59:48
The Aston Martin Rapide and the Cadillac Converj have been named the best cars of 2009 by car designers.
|13/11/2007
German sports car manufacturer marches on as it post a monster €5.85bn profit.
|19/09/2008
20 of the best 90's TV car adverts showcase an industry wising up to the buying power of women, and putting the battle of the sexes at the forefront of car commercials.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
|05/09/2008
New-car and van registrations in August drop 20 per cent over the month, used car values are worst since early-90s recession. The recession hits the UK car market.
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article