Cadillac Converj Confirmed for Production - Using Chevy Volt Plug-in Technology

Cadillac Converj concept NAIAS 2009

Will launch in 2013 or 2014

Bob Lutz has confirmed Cadillac will build a production version of Converj concept.

Speaking at a meeting of the Society of Automotive Analysts, Lutz said the Converj won't be offered until 2013 or 2014. He added, "You'll see it when you see it. We have to slot it into the product lineup."

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 will also be powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine when the car travels past its 40 mile electric-only range.

Despite the announcement of the Converj, Lutz believes electric cars may be a fad. He commented, "There are always these waves in the popular media and the public, and right now it's teensy-weensy cars and electric vehicles. And I'm all for it because we're going to have those, and I hope people buy a lot of them so we can make some money."

Source: autonews.com (sub req)

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CDspeed

I like it. Its good looking and being a plug-in hybrid I really think it will sell.

January 11, 2010 3:22 pm

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2010S5

I like this car. If only the CTS-V coupe could look like this.

January 11, 2010 3:42 pm

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kepe

I'd love to see the actual production model. I'm quite sure it will not be even close to this concept in terms of good looks.

January 11, 2010 5:34 pm

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pole_mccoy

Looks nice, I'm just quite skeptical about the power output...161hp and 370 Nm...not as sporty as the car suggests. For what concerns Lutz's remark about electric car being a fad...I agree with him. Electric cars will come for sure, but let's not forget that conventionnaly powered cars are way not dead.

January 11, 2010 6:16 pm

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radmeister

I think it's a moment of judgement. At this point you have to look at the competition. The Japanese are world known for their technological advancements in electronics, they will not give up on electric cars or hybrid technology. The Koreans the same. The Germans are 3rd best at electronics and by far #1 at producing anything mechanical. In 10 years the automotive industry will be very different than what it is today. Those that are willing to accept change, or have some kind of foresight will survive, those trying to hold onto the wild wild west lifestyle will disappear. Just like the dinosaurs did.

January 12, 2010 12:56 pm

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phobos

i like this bob lutz guy ... electric car is a fad

January 12, 2010 10:11 am

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radmeister

Bwahahah Electric cars a fad...You must be joking right? Do you know what the biggest industry world wide is? Electronics, not cars. Where are the most inventions made, electronics. If you have been watching CES some of the things will knock you on your ass. One which doesn't surprise me. 2 years ago Phd students at MIT finally got Tesla's concept of wireless electricity to work. And this year at CES a japanese company has released a wireless charger, it plugs into your cellphone and scans for radio waves and picks the strongest one and converts it to electricity to charge your battery. Next year they will have this technology embedded into batteries directly. Your cellphone will NEVER need a charger or run out of battery life. Do you understand what this means for cars or anything really? Imagine what wireless charging could do for electric cars? People that think electric cars is a fad belong on a farm and are anti-evolution. Electricity is the way of the future, we will never get a combustion engine to be anywhere as efficient as electricity. A few more years until we get fusion to work, and until then renewable sources of energy will keep evolving. Just look at what happened in industrial applications. They started using horses/cattle to power their pumps/machinery. Then steam came around, they used steam power to do their work. Then combustion came and they used that for a short while, Tesla came around and started designing A/C motors and A/C power became the norm. Still to this date A/C and D/C motors are used in industry. Cars will follow the same path. Lutz is a moron and should be running John Deere not GM if he thinks like that.

January 12, 2010 12:38 pm

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radmeister

This car is just like the stupid volt, 10 years of talk and no results. And the results will be a let down just like the Camaro...If i want to buy an EV or Hybrid GM would not be my choice. That would be like GM waking up one day and decide they want to make LCD tvs at a price higher than Samsung...Who would buy them? I think they should just produce this car with the 2.3L Ecotec Turbo with 260hp and forget about trying their luck out at EVs/hybrids. Trying your luck out with something new like Apple with the Ipod and Iphone only works when you have an image in that field, technology and styling and you heavily invest in it. GM has no image of being high tech, nor did they spend as much on R&D on this car as Apple did on the Iphone. So it has the formula for a failure. They should of kept SAAB and converted it to an all Hybrid/EV brand, SAAB at least had some image left of quality and technology. Could have done something with it, more than with chevy/cadillac. Also from a business point of view his statement is RETARDED. If i was a member on the board of directors i would recommend he be fired for it. I mean as a brand with almost 0 customer confidence releasing 2 vehicles that their survival is based on he practically says "yeah this car is a joke, we just put something together to try and grab a piece of the pie" I mean how confident does that make you feel about this car or the volt? How seriously did they take the design of it? Apparently not very...Look at the unveiling of ANY product, for example lets say the Iphone because it was a new market for Apple with a new product. Did Steve Jobs come up on stage and say "yeah this touch screen and cellphone market is a joke, we made this phone to grab a part of it while it lasts." No, he said this is where the industry is heading, and Apple aims to be at the forefront, and their product will start the revolution of the industry. Now that sends a clear message of confidence and corporate direction and initiative. Like it's common sense, imagine going up to a woman saying "hi, i know i'm wasting my time talking to you, but i figured i'd try" She would just say, yeah you are right, you are wasting your time.

January 12, 2010 12:49 pm

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