Cadillac officially unveiled the updated 2016 ELR yesterday, announcing the car will come with more power, revised suspension and brakes, an optional performance package and most importantly, a smaller price tag of $65,995. The automaker appears to have addressed some of the biggest complaints about the slow-selling plug-in hybrid EV in moving to the 2016 model, but is it enough to move more ELRs off dealer lots?
The major complaint consumers and the media had in regards to the ELR was its unrealistic price tag of $74,995. It’s not an absurd price to pay for a luxury EV, however the ELR’s close relation to the budget Chevrolet Volt made the price seem a bit ridiculous. The ELR now starts at a less shocking $65,995, $9,000 less than before, and can be cheaper depending on state tax credits. This was a smart move for Cadillac, seeing as dealers were offering huge incentives on the model anyways.
Speaking of the ELR’s relation to the Volt, the 2016 model provides more disparity between the two model’s powertrains. The ELR now comes with upgraded software for the electric motor, giving it 25 percent more power and torque and lowering the 0-60 mph time by a significant 1.5 seconds. There’s also a ‘Sport’ button, which allows the electric motor and 1.4-liter gasoline engine to work in unison with each other and an optional performance pack.
So have these changes ‘fixed’ the issues most people had with the ELR? The price tag is lower, yet still a bit expensive, and its powertrain is now even more different than the Volt’s. The model probably won’t be flying off dealer lots, but it should help it find a few more buyers.
Let us know what you think by voting and commenting below.
Comments
It’s damaged goods now. If they had no tried to charge too much for too little it might have succeeded. To offer a vehicle that’s not much more than a much more attractive Volt at twice the price is one of the biggest blunders in marketing in recent history. When you have a vehicle like the Volt that is not exactly setting the sales charts on fire how can you justify dressing it up in a nicer suit and doubling the price?
It’s already dead, in my opinion I wouldn’t mind they put there new 3.0TT in here and give it a go, it’s a bit bigger then the ATS so it’s not exactly the same. There is no question about it’s style.
No as Cadillac needs a tesla sized sedan. CT6E? I think we may see something like this not too far out or at least a Malibu/Volt like hybrid.
Any of these cars will be low volume and expensive as it is a slow growth segment. But for it to get cheaper and better it takes investment so any growth is better than none.
If it can’t go 0-60 in 6.4 seconds *without* the gas engine assisting, then what’s the point of the acceleration improvement? Anyone can get a gas engine to increase power, but only Tesla seems able to do it with electric only. What’s the point of advertising the ELR as a luxury Volt – the purpose of which is to drive mostly on electric – and then say, “but you can only go fast if you burn gas.” That’s just stupid.
Even though it didn’t sell well for the 2014 MY, I think Cadillac can use this car effectively. The “$75,000 Volt” label is pretty tough to move away from, but if they can knock off another $5,000, then this car would be selling a lot faster. Cadillac needs this car, even if it’s a niche market.
If Cadillac would have started out this way they may have sold a few more units . In my neck of the woods , the only Cadillac dealer doesnt even have one on the premises . Its just not what this market wants . Now when we see an electric CT6 or XT5 then those would sell . As the XTS starts to slowly die , this one will go with it .