2016 Cadillac ELR

In stark contrast to the ATS, CTS, and CT6, the Cadillac ELR has a short axle-to-dash ratio thanks to its Delta II front-wheel-drive underpinnings. Even so, designers were able to give the ELR a distinctly forward-leaning profile that represents a progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac’s design evolution. The overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line accented by 20-inch wheels pushed to the edges of the body.

Signature Lighting

Vertical headlamp and taillamp elements create Cadillac’s signature for the ELR, day or night and from the front or rear – a brand tradition since 1948.

New Cadillac Crest

The 2016 ELR also swaps the outgoing Cadillac wreath-and-crest logo for the new Cadillac crest. It is positioned prominently on the grille and in other places throughout the vehicle.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics play a crucial role in the ELR’s design, as airflow is managed to help the vehicle slip through the air with minimal drag. A flush front fascia and grille – with active shutters behind the grille opening – as well as tapered fascia corners, enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and an artfully designed spoiler also manage airflow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag and contribute to ELR’s 0.31 coefficient of drag.

Additional Exterior Details

• Door handles hidden in recesses behind the doors
• The charge port is located on the driver’s side front fender for convenient access
• Lights on the side mirrors pulse green while the battery charges and go dark when charging is complete

Exterior Colors

The 2016 ELR replaces the following colors and gains these ones.

The final exterior color palette includes the following five hues:

• Crystal White Tricoat (extra-cost color)
• Black Raven
• Radiant Silver Metallic
• Graphite Metallic
• Crystal Red Tintcoat (extra-cost color)

The focal points of the ELR design team are luxury appointments, great proportions and a flowing and ergonomic cockpit that incorporates the latest technology interfaces.

Interior Design

A continuous feature line from the instrument panel through the doors to the back glass creates a complete and harmonious cockpit environment. The 2+2 layout features a blend of carefully selected materials, including available carbon fiber and ultra-premium semi-aniline leather seating.

Seats

The front seats feature standard heat – including auto heat with programmable automatic activation – and an eight-way power adjustment. Ten-way power adjustment is optional. The seats are complemented by a heated, leather wrapped/microfiber-accented steering wheel.

Driver Assistance Systems

For 2016, the ELR includes Driver Assistance active safety systems as standard equipment, including:

• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• IntelliBeam headlamps

Lane Change Alert and a new vehicle security system are also standard on the 2016 ELR.

Adaptive cruise control with Front Automatic Braking is available as an option.

Additional Interior Features

• Cut-and-sew interior
• Available semi-aniline full leather seating
• Sueded microfiber headliner and supporting trim
• Eight-inch configurable instrument and driver information displays, offering four configurations ranging from elegantly simple to technologically detailed information
• Three USB ports
• Power-assist covered storage/cup holder in the center console
• Fold-down rear seatbacks to accommodate longer items such as skis and golf clubs
• Choreographed LED-powered accent lighting
• Bose 10-speaker premium sound system, including subwoofer
• Active noise cancellation
• Full-speed range adaptive cruise control is available
• Standard keyless access, keyless starting (push-button start) and remote starter
• Standard rear-vision camera system
• Standard power-tilting/telescoping steering column

Interior Color Combinations

• Cashmere
• Jet Black
• Kona/Black Semi Aniline Leather

The 2016 Cadillac ELR adds the following new technology features:

• OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot
• Inductive charging
• Updates and enhancements to the CUE infotainment system
• Removal of SD Card slot from CUE
• Built-in, hands-free text messaging feature
• Vehicle inclination sensor
• Self-powered self-powered horn as part of the vehicle’s alarm system

Cadillac CUE

The heart of Cadillac CUE is the eight-inch-diameter LCD multi-touch sensitive screen that is integrated into the top of the central instrument panel. The screen features a motorized, fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a storage behind it area.

CUE’s vibrant LCD screen resembles the screen of a smartphone, with large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. A navigation system is standard on all ELRs.

For the 2016 ELR, the Cadillac CUE infotainment system has been revised to function more intuitively while providing connectivity and information on a high-resolution eight-inch touch screen. A new higher-speed processor for 2016 models delivers quicker responsiveness to all aspects of the car’s connectivity, information and entertainment features. Cadillac CUE also offers advanced phone integration capability for 2016.

Phone Integration Technology

Phone integration technology — provided by Apple CarPlay and Google Auto — is designed to take phone features customers would want to access while driving and put them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. The features allow customers to use select smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface. In fact, many features can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Using either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is simple. A “Projection” icon on the Cadillac CUE screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate CarPlay or Android Auto when a compatible phone is connected via USB.

Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay capability is offered at the beginning of the 2016 model year.

Apple CarPlay supported apps include:

• Phone
• Messages
• Maps
• Music
• Third-party audio apps

Apple CarPlay is compatible with iOS 7.1 or higher.

Android Auto

Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes:

• WhatsApp
• Skype
• Google Play Music
• Spotify
• Podcast players

Android Auto requires a phone running Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above. Android Auto capability comes later in the model year.

Wireless Charging

The 2016 ELR also includes Wireless Charging functionality, which enables users to charge their smartphones by simply placing the device – if equipped with wireless charging technology or a capable back cover – on a small mat behind the CUE faceplate. The device then charges without the need to plug it in.

OnStar 4G LTE With Wi-Fi Hotspot

Complementing CUE to enhance the ELR’s connectivity is OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.

4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network – 10 times faster than 3G and 100 times faster than the previous generation of OnStar hardware. And with OnStar, it also offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network and it’s easy to use.

At the time of purchase, one year of OnStar Guidance includes all of OnStar’s advisor-based safety and security features, including Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Assistance, as well as Turn-by-Turn navigation.

Five years of OnStar Basic Plan includes RemoteLink Key Fob Services, allowing owners to remotely:

• Start the engine
• Lock/unlock doors
• Activate the horn and lights from anywhere with a data connection

The OnStar system also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics (OVD), which runs monthly checks of a vehicle’s engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes and more, and Dealer Maintenance Notification, which sends a diagnostic report directly to a preferred dealer, simplifying service scheduling.

Active Safety

The 2016 Cadillac ELR has Lane change alert and a new vehicle security system as standard equipment. It also offers the following active safety features as options:

• Driver Assistance includes side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert and Intellibeam headlamps
• Adaptive cruise control

Body-Frame Integral Structure

A solid, stable foundation underpins the ELR, featuring a body-frame-integral structure with main underbody rails running continuously from front to rear. Advanced, high-strength steels add strength and conserve weight.

Steering & Suspension Upgrades

For 2016, the ELR’s handling, steering and braking performance is enhanced with comprehensive changes designed to improve handling precision while maintaining excellent driving comfort. The enhancements over the 2014 ELR include:

• Enhanced calibration of the HiPer Strut front suspension
• Increased front spring rates and a stiffer rear axle
• New, stiffer bushings for the front lower control arms, cradle mounts and Watts link in the rear suspension, for more precise control with no loss of ride quality
• Revised calibrations for the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system
• Front Damper Rebound Spring added
• New steering calibration tuned to complement the revised chassis and suspension systems
• Revised brake hardware and system calibration for improved braking feel

Performance Package

A new Performance Package is optional. It elevates the driving experience of the 2016 Cadillac ELR with greater handling and braking capability and a more direct, linear feel for the driver.

The 2016 ELR Performance Package includes:

• New 20-inch summer-only performance tires – mounted on new sport wheels – that improve lateral grip by nearly 10 percent
• Front Brembo four-piston brake calipers (with the Cadillac script), with 13.6-inch-diameter vented front rotors and 12.4-inch vented rear rotors that improve 60-to-0 mph stopping distance by nearly 12 percent
• Specific calibrations for the Continuous Damping Control and electric power steering systems
• Sport steering wheel with a thicker rim for a sportier feel

The Cadillac ELR provides an engaging driving experience, supported by the EREV propulsion system calibrated for uncompromising performance. Acceleration in the city and on the highway, including merging and passing, is achieved with reassuring power on demand.

Selectable Driving Modes

The 2016 ELR features four driver-selectable driving models that help make the most of the ELR for a variety of driving styles and conditions. They include:

1. Tour mode: the default setting on the ELR is expected to be used most often and provides the greatest driving comfort and efficiency.
2. Sport mode: features steering calibration and suspension setting revisions that contribute to a more responsive driving experience.
3. Mountain mode: mountain mode automatically adjusts the system to provide needed power in mountainous environments when vehicle performance could otherwise be compromised. Mountain mode allows the ELR to sustain a sufficient state of charge so supplemental power is available from the battery if needed.
4. Hold mode: Hold mode allows owners to direct when the ELR uses its gas-powered electric generator, reserving the remaining battery charge for later use. This feature helps enhance efficiency because owners who mix city and highway driving can save the battery charge for city travel.

Continuous Damping Control

Driving confidence of the ELR is further enhanced by advanced suspension and damping systems, including Continuous Damping Control – which adjusts damping every two milliseconds – to help maintain optimal vehicle ride control over varying road surfaces and profiles.

Wheels

The 2016 ELR rolls on 20-inch wheels with specially engineered low-rolling-resistance tires designed to balance excellent control and cornering capability with efficiency.

Additional Driving Experience Factors

Additional contributors to the ELR’s driving experience include:

• Wide front and rear tracks – 62.1 inches (1,578 mm) in front and 62.4 inches (1,585 mm) in the rear – along with a long wheelbase (106.1 inches / 2,695 mm) and a low center of gravity
• HiPer Strut front suspension featuring lightweight forged aluminum components for reduced weight and more nimble, responsive action
• Dual-pinion, rack-mounted electric power steering system with premium ZF steering gear designed to provide excellent feedback while helping to save fuel
• A semi-independent rear compound-crank suspension with Watts link that incorporates weight-optimized trailing arms to absorb lateral forces, allowing the suspension to be tuned to handle vertical, forward and rearward motions
• Hydraulic ride bushings in the front and rear suspensions
• An electro-hydraulic regenerative brake system that captures energy and sends it to the battery pack
• Standard chassis control systems include anti-lock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control

Driver-Activated Sound Feature

Because the ELR operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with impaired vision, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.

The ELR combines pure electric driving and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered engine-generator. The combination is the same general Voltec powertrain as found in the Chevrolet Volt, but modified for the ELR. It means that most daily commutes will require zero gasoline with zero tailpipe emissions, while longer trips are free from electric-vehicle range anxiety because the ELR’s technology enables the long-distance travel similar to vehicles powered only by gasoline.

The ELR offers:

• Electric driving range: up to 40 miles (64 km)
• Full driving range: up to 340 miles (550 km) by combining pure electric driving and an efficient, range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered engine-generator

Battery Pack

The T-shaped battery pack is located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels, for optimal weight distribution. The 5.5-foot-long (1.6 m), 435-pound (198 kg) pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit capable of 373 pound-feet of instant torque (506 Nm) to propel the vehicle.

Range

The 2016 ELR offers a combined driving range of up to 340 miles (550 km), which is down 10 miles from the 2014 ELR.

Using only the energy stored in the battery, the ELR delivers an estimated range of about 40 miles (64 km) of pure electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. The optional Performance Package includes 20-inch summer-only tires, which offer additional handling grip but more rolling resistance. Consequently, the EV range is reduced to 36 miles.

Charging

ELR’s battery can be charged using either a 120- or 240-volt charger. The vehicle can be completely recharged in about five hours using 240V charging, depending on the outside temperature.

The ELR’s battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty or 10 years/150,000 miles in states following Air Resource Board guidelines.

 2016 ELR Powertrain Changes & Updates

The 2016 Cadillac ELR receives a higher-output electric drive motor at 17.1-kWh, improving power and acceleration that enable the electric range to grow on the base model. By comparison, the 2014 ELR features a 16.5-kWh electric drive unit.

Torque is improved 25 percent, enabling a 25 percent faster 0-60. The update also results in a modified Sport mode that enables the propulsion system to combine engine and electric motor power, taking the ELR from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, a 1.5 second improvement from the 2014 and 2015 model. In EV mode, it takes the ELR 8.8 seconds to achieve the 0-60 mph sprint.

From a numbers standpoint, the 2016 Cadillac ELR has 373 pound-feet (506 Nm) torque at its disposal, compared to the 295 (400 Nm) in the 2014 ELR. Total system power is up to 233 kW from 162 kW.

All 2016 ELRs contain both battery control software and drive system hardware upgrades that improve power and acceleration, with EV range growing on the base model.

Regen On Demand

The 2016 Cadillac ELR continues to offer Regen on Demand, which allows the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the ELR’s momentum into electricity and store in the battery pack for later use. Regen on Demand enables a more engaging driving experience by slowing the vehicle when entering a turn to better position it on the exit, much like downshifting with a manual transmission.

Regen on Demand is useful when decelerating for turning, at a stop sign or at a traffic light, reclaiming energy that is stored in the battery. Regen on Demand is engaged via steering-wheel paddles adapted from traditional performance cars.

The feature is engaged via paddle shifters on the steering wheel adapted from traditional performance cars.

For the 2016 ELR, Regen on Demand is enhanced to improve deceleration.

The 2016 ELR features the following performance attributes:

• In Sport Mode, the 2016 ELR achieves 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds
• In EV Mode, the 2016 ELR achieves 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds
• Top speed in all 2016 ELR models is 106 mph
• Top speed in Sport and Hold modes with the optional Performance Package is 130 mph
• Combined city and highway EV range is 40 miles / 64 km
• Total range in EV model on fully charged battery and full tank of fuel, without the Performance Package, is 340 miles / 550 km

A new Performance Package available on the 2016 ELR also improves handling and braking by adding:

• 20-inch summer-only performance tires on new sport wheels
• Front Brembo four-piston brake calipers
• Specific calibrations for the continuous damping control and electric power steering systems
• Sport steering wheel with a thicker rim

Note: the package increases performance but decreases both EV and total range.

The 2016 Cadillac ELR will carry a starting price of $58,495 after U.S. federal tax credits.

The 2014 and 2015 models, by comparison, rung in at $67,500 after the tax credits. As such, the 2016 Cadillac ELR has a starting price of $65,995, which is a steep cut in MSRP of about $9,000 over the 2014 and 2015 model

The Cadillac ELR is manufactured at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.

It is the world’s only automotive manufacturing facility that mass-produces extended-range electric vehicles for global markets in 21 countries. It is also home to Southeast Michigan’s largest photovoltaic solar array. The 264,000-square-foot feature generates up to 516 kilowatts of electricity – enough to charge 150 ELRs per day.

When

The 2016 Cadillac ELR began arriving on dealer lots in the August-September timeframe of 2016.

Where

The 2016 Cadillac ELR is officially available in North America, including:

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico

Export to other markets is rumored but not confirmed:

Download the 2016 Cadillac ELR order guide.

2016 Cadillac ELR Overview

2016 Cadillac ELR Battery System

2016 Cadillac ELR Onboard Gas-Powered Electric Generator

2016 Cadillac ELR Electric Drive

2016 Cadillac ELR Charging Times

2016 Cadillac ELR Performance

2016 Cadillac ELR Chassis & Suspension

2016 Cadillac ELR Brakes

2016 Cadillac ELR Wheel Size & Type

2016 Cadillac ELR Exterior Dimensions

2016 Cadillac ELR Interior Dimensions

2016 Cadillac ELR Capacities