Cadillac ELR Tested in Snow and Ice Of Northern Michigan - VIDEO

Since its award-winning world debut at the North American International Auto Show, the plug-in hybrid Cadillac ELR  is undergoing extreme real-world testing before it is placed in showrooms in 2014. This video shows GM hard at work testing the Cadillac ELR in the frozen Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Engineers last week completed winter weather testing on the chassis of the pre-production ELR models in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to ensure that the plug-in Caddy handles well in winter weather. During testing, there were more than 4 inches of snowfall that helped the team finalize specifications on the ELR’s steering, tires, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control and Continuous Damping Control suspension that adjusts damping every two milliseconds to maintain optimal control as the vehicle drives through different conditions. 

“Being able to test the ELR in extreme road conditions, like those we experienced here in the U.P., allows us to provide a ride-and-handling character unlike any EV on the market today,” said Chris Thomason, ELR chief engineer. “During this latest test, the ELR continued to perform beyond our expectations.”

The electric Cadillac ELR  is based on the Cadillac Converj Concept and the propulsion system is based on the GM Voltec concept that the GM Volt uses. GM expects the Volt-based Cadillac ELR to deliver an EPA-estimated range of 35 miles on just electricity, 3 miles less than the Volt. All those extra luxury features and creature comforts suck up a lot of power, but the more-powerful ELR will also be a good deal sportier than the Volt.

While they don’t get going too fast, the engineers in charge sure make this hybrid Cadillac look like a whole mess of fun. No price has been announced…but we can tell you right now, it won’t be cheap.

Source: Cadillac