Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Cadillac 2009 Cadillac Converj concept – Click above for high-res gallery Just when it seemed like the gorgeous Cadillac Converj extended-range electric vehicle (ER-EV) was going to make it to production, it now appears that the program might be dead. Strictly speaking, although General Motors executives had indicated that the Volt -based coupe would be produced, it had never officially been announced as a production program. Nonetheless, Bloomberg is reporting that the program has been canceled for business reasons. Apparently, Cadillac came to the conclusion that even as a Cadillac, the car couldn’t be profitable with the level of amenities that customers would expect. The extra equipment would apparently have cut the electric range to only 20 miles, defeating some of the purpose of an ER-EV and its ability to cover most driver’s needs without using gas. Given the slow sales high-end hybrids like the Escalade and Lexus LS600h , this may be the right move for GM. According to Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell, there is ” Nothing to be announced ” and the program was ” not to a point in which development would be occurring in earnest in any case. ” Caldwell goes on to say ” There can naturally be a lot of careful review over an idea as big and ambitious as this. And that can go back-and-forth. Vehicle plans can be revised numerous times before reaching production, or being declined. ” Instead of the Converj, Cadillac will reportedly focus on less expensive plug-in hybrids like the XTS concept that was shown in Detroit. Source: Bloomberg Report: Cadillac Converj production program killed originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Report: Cadillac Converj production program killed

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Cadillac , Detroit Auto Show Cadillac XTS Platinum concept – Click above for high-res image gallery For the past decade, Cadillac has been transforming itself from a brand that built big, floaty old-school luxury cars for old-school customers into something much more contemporary to compete with the best premium brands from Europe. Unfortunately for General Motors , the process has been only partially successful. The Escalade has been a huge sales success for the brand and the CTS has achieved both critical and commercial acclaim. The STS and the first generation SRX, however, never quite struck a chord with the market and the DTS is just old. A new SRX debuted last year, but now it’s time to flesh out the rest of the lineup. The CTS in sedan, coupe and sportwagon forms is one of Autoblog’s favorites. It’s time to spread that very goodness to both a smaller and larger sedan. Last August we saw styling concepts of both those cars, dubbed the ATS and XTS during a visit to the GM design studios. GM isn’t publicly showing the 3 series-sized ATS just yet, but the XTS is debuting today at the Detroit Auto Show . The XTS Platinum concept is a preview of Cadillac’s new flagship that’s expected to start production in early 2012. Read on after the jump to learn all about it. Continue reading Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum plug-in concept ready to replace STS/DTS? Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum plug-in concept ready to replace STS/DTS? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum plug-in concept ready to replace STS/DTS?

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Cadillac , Chevrolet 2011 Chevy Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery Electric vehicles are for people who would rather drive slow, boring commuter cars that don’t consume fossil fuels and therefore don’t spew pollutants from their tailpipes. Gas-powered cars – and especially those wearing time-honored badges like SS, R/T or GT – are for those that prefer fire-breathing, tire-screeching performance and care much more about nitrous oxide than nitrogen oxide. We all agree on these points, right? Not so fast, says Bob Lutz. When asked whether or not Chevy could shock the performance crowd with an SS version of the upcoming Volt, Lutz said, “I would not discount that possibility.” That’s as close as you’re going to get to an admission of intent this early in the game. Lutz goes on to suggest that the Voltec powertrain will allow for plenty of on-demand power. “If we want to sacrifice a little bit of fuel efficiency in the interest of performance and still get over 200 miles per gallon, we can do that any time.” Following the same logical train of thought, we could certainly see a V-Series of the Cadillac Converj . If you’re interested in hearing the news straight from the horse’s Lutz’s mouth, click past the break for a video. Source: Fox Car Report via GM-Volt.com Continue reading Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a “possibility” Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a “possibility” originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read ?|? Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"