Cadillac Converj Approved for Production - report

Cadillac Converj concept - NAIAS 2009

A mean, green, Volt-based machine

By Michael Gauthier
November 11, 2009 4:15 AM
Filed Under: American, Cadillac, Electric Vehicle, Production

The Detroit News is reporting several sources have confirmed GM will build a production version of the Cadillac Converj Concept.

According to the report, the Converj was green-lighted by GM's board of directors last week. While no production date has been set, the model is likely at least 2-3 years away from reaching dealer showrooms.

As you may recall, when the Converj was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, Bob Lutz hinted that a production version would remain faithful to the concept. This is good news, considering the Converj won praise for its sleek styling and advanced powertrain.

Expected to be based on the Chevrolet Volt, the Converj will likely feature a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery which powers an electric motor that produces 120 kW (161 hp) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque. Like the Volt, the Converj would be recharged by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine after the car travels past its 40 mile electric-only range (it can also be recharged via a 240V or 120V outlet). While nothing is official, there has been speculation that Cadillac will make some minor modifications to give the Converj a more performance-oriented setup than the Volt.

Besides spreading eco-friendly vibes to Cadillac lineup, the Converj will help GM to recoup the nearly $1 billion dollars they have spent developing the Volt architecture. The model will fetch a far higher premium than the $40,000 (roughly) Chevrolet Volt and its Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden quadruplets.

Source: detnews.com

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Tags: Cadillac, Cadillac Converj, Cadillac Converj Concept, Chevy Volt, 2012 Cadillac Converj

Cadillac Converj Confirmed for Production - Report (8 comments
Cadillac Converj Concept Revealed (19 comments

Comments

Ash

November 11, 2009 8:47 AM

Typical UGLY YANK TANK!!...YUK!!. Needs to go on a diet...need I say and more Humans??

drmalfares

November 11, 2009 1:32 PM

you don't have any sense of taste, sorry but you don't this is one of the one of the most beautiful concept cars they ever made

Xenicide

November 11, 2009 4:17 PM

More Euro tears.

CDspeed

November 11, 2009 4:41 PM

@ Ash It's no tank, American cars are finally scaling down note it's not a massive SUV it's a coupe. And it's no where near "typical" think about it, it hardly uses gas instead of burning through a barrel of gas per day.

Edited by user on November 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM

sideskraper

November 11, 2009 6:02 PM

What on earth are you on about Ash? Cadillac's are just about the only American cars that have had any style and look really nice.

Narco

November 11, 2009 6:50 PM

something smells like europe around here.....a scent similar to whine and cheese....

Fishes,

Narco.

benzboy

November 11, 2009 9:58 AM

I like this car and I will buy one only IF and I mean IF the production is a copy of the concept. So many times carmakers have screwed the pooch with promises of hot car concepts only to have the production model be so much less. Only the viper turned out as hot as promised.

madofmazda

November 11, 2009 10:26 AM

I really love this car...

clash_189

November 11, 2009 12:48 PM

If it will be based on Volt, it means it also will be quite similar to Astra and that is good. I really like this cool and athletic design, but be a cool car thus it needs a cool diesel engine or turbo petrol to support its electric motor, then it really will be a powerful hothach. Perhaps 1.6 or 1.4 turbo petrol from VAG or BMW will increase its popularity with 180-200+ HP, however it will be better if GM build a 1.4 twin turbo diesel with 120-150 HP. Therefore, this car will have total output around 300 HP to face Focus RS, Golf R, next Astra VXR, BMW 135i, and maybe TT RS. One more thing should be made sure is the interior has to be as nice as one in TT, or feel as good as in Golf and 1 series.

Edited by user on November 11, 2009 at 12:49 PM

sideskraper

November 11, 2009 6:02 PM

Thanks for the laughs.

majorsja

November 11, 2009 3:03 PM

It looks better than any hybrid or electric vehicle currently sold (except that car that starts with a "k" can't remember the name). So I like it. Design gets a B-. Then angular lines on the side molding is a bit much and starts to look stupid after looking at it for a while.

blay

November 11, 2009 3:43 PM

reminds me of the cadillac cien...

Renegade

November 11, 2009 4:59 PM

This car looks to good to be a Hybrid.

sideskraper

November 11, 2009 6:04 PM

This car is stunning. Those love handles are beautiful. Albeit very Gallardo. It's a shame they won't make it on to the production vehicle.

alessandro

November 11, 2009 7:45 PM

Finally American car looks to Europeans like a dream....a digitally generated Chinese dream.

GTurbo

November 11, 2009 9:09 PM

Americans finally understand the modern alternative engineering philosophy from the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese showed the way forward with the world's first economically viable hybrid car, Toyota Prius, and now we have a lovechild from Lambo Gallardo and Caddy Evoq; the Italian American mafioso. Don't mess with it or somebody's gonna whack ya! Hope the performance will be just as mean as it looks (for a hybrid). The model name, Converj, is rather unique too. However, the real acid test for this car's success in Europe will be two-fold: keeping that interior sophistication and body styling. We've already been won over in Europe with their dynamics; CTS V, take a bow for your outstanding ovation!

Edited by user on November 11, 2009 at 9:15 PM

bimmerjared

November 11, 2009 10:37 PM

I hope caddy didn't take lessons from toyota who mine battery materials half way around the world and ship them to a second country for assembly, then ship to a third country for install in the car, finally shipped to the vehicle's destination in this case back to america. Let's see how much pollution we can cause during the assembly process and negate any help or savings we've created in the final product. I hope they took lessons from BMW who are shipping their battery across two states to reach the production plant for the X6. (granted too expensive to make sense, however it works) We need to prove that environmentally concious does not have to look like an owl pellet with windows and wheels.

sideskraper

November 12, 2009 3:35 AM

Yes and where did all the internals of that battery come from?

TheAlchemist

November 12, 2009 3:51 AM

I still think 40mi on todays batteries is BS. The 1912 Baker Electric V could go 50mi on ancient battery technology, that's almost 100 years ago!!!

BcuzI8paintchipz

November 18, 2009 1:54 AM

Ash,

~Wow, you have zero knowledge of what's beautiful and what's not. This is one of the most beautiful cars I have seen in a long time, just because you don't like America doesn't mean you have to show your stupidity in judgment. Thank god you're only some hack with the good ole "I hate anything American" chip on your shoulder.~

Now on to what matters.....

I was invited by Cadillac (my brother is a designer with Chevrolet/GM) to come to a pre-show viewing of the Converj here in Los Angeles. I was able to sit in it and get a feel for the ergonomics of both the driver and passengers positions. The interior is a big step up from earlier CTS versions (which is what it closely resembles in size) because of the top quality materials used. It will take some time getting used to the far forward dash but it has a great feel and look.

The Buick interior design team helped with the interior, they got the materials right for sure. See the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, beautiful car with an outstanding interior. http://www.worldcarfans.com/109010816000/2010-buick-lacrosse-breaks-cover/lowphotos#12 After some time sitting in the Converj I would figure the seats will be changed up a bit for better driver positioning. Having the seat raised up higher than you can adjust it and making the seat cushion longer by a few inches at least, it cut's at a strange spot on the back of your legs making you feel that you have contact with the seat only at your butt area, although it might be better with a smaller person. (I'm 6'4")

I asked the guy presenting the car that if I need the seat bottom raised and I stand 6'4", what about people smaller than I who will really need it raised, he told me that the seats in the car are not what's going into the production model. The seat materials and overall look will stay the same but have different overall design and ergonomics to them.

The flow through center console to the rear seat area is a nice touch that gives it a high class/ high performance look and feel. Just think, this is a so-called "Green Car" and I'm talking about how good it looks inside and out, try that with a Prius. The overall look and feel of this car as I walked around it over a hundred times is of a car of the future, the body line cuts are dramatic as is the slope forward from above the back seats to the nose. The wheels are a must carry over to production.

I will be one of the first buyers of either a Converj or a CTS-V series coupe when they arrive, as long as they stay to form with the basic look and feel of the prototypes, which I was told they will. So, when the time comes, it will depend on if I am "Environmentally Sane" or just "Insane" (CTS-V Coupe= $70,000+, Converj= $50,000+) at the time of production on which one I will purchase. I'll take either in the light silver I have seen recently on a 2010 ZR1, while having the wheels on the prototypes in a dark bare Magnesium color and look!

4-6 years of payments won't be so bad, and it's environmentally sane or insane. Now, when my neighbor who has a Prius glares at me when I'm in my Corvette or Truck, will no longer glare but will stare with his jaw on the ground when he see's me in my Converj!

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