Gorgeous Electric Car Unveiled by Cadillac at Detroit Show
January 11, 2009 by admin
The Voltec-equipped, extended range electric Cadillac Converj Concept has been unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Based on the Chevy Volt’s “Voltec” drivetrain, which used to be called E-Flex, the coupe is drop-dead gorgeous. Bob Lutz told the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own, while being instantly recognizable as Cadillac. Lutz referred to the Converj as the “Cadillac of Electric Vehicles” well yes, and it could well bring Cadillac to the top of the luxury electric car heap.
It has a much more cab forward design than last years Cadillac CTS coupe but balances things out with a fastback style. Inside are blue accents over a white ‘pimp’ leather upholstry.
Details from GM below.
SPECIFICATIONS
General
Vehicle type: 2-door, front-wheel-drive 2+2 coupe
Category: extended-range electric vehicle
Chassis: independent McPherson struts, front magnetic ride, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
Seating capacity:
four
Performance
Top speed (mph / km/h):100 / 161
EV range, city and highway (miles): Up to 40, based on EPA cycle
Voltec – innovative propulsion technology
The Cadillac Converj’s Voltec electric propulsion system is made up of a 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car.
A thermally managed battery pack contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that provide the primary power to drive the Converj electrically up to 40 miles without using fuel or producing tailpipe emissions. The battery is integrated into the Converj’s chassis and stores electricity from the grid when the vehicle is plugged in. It takes less than three hours to recharge the battery at 240V, or about eight hours from a 120V outlet.
When the battery’s energy is low, the Converj seamlessly switches to extended-range mode. During this secondary level of operation, electricity needed to power the vehicle is created on-board by a flex-fuel-powered engine that operates much like a home generator to create electricity. The engine-generator ensures a constant supply of power for hundreds of miles until the car is refueled or plugged in to recharge the battery. This extended-range mode eliminates the range anxiety that comes with driving pure electric vehicles that offer no backup power when the battery charge is low.
Whether in electric or extended-range mode, the Converj is propelled all the time by an electric drive unit. It converts electrical energy from the battery or the engine-generator into mechanical energy to drive the front wheels. It also delivers 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, for a quick launch, and 120 kW of power. The top speed is 100 mph.
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