Cadillac Converj hybrid matches Volt

The Cadillac Converj coupe has a petrol-free driving range of 64km but when equipped with a petrol generator can travel up to hundreds of kilometres between refills – the same as the Volt.

“We wanted to create an electric car that people wanted purely based on its looks alone,” said the boss of GM product development, Bob Lutz. “This shows that being green doesn’t have to mean boring, or going without some of life’s luxuries.”

As with the Chevrolet Volt, the Converj is driven by an electric motor. The battery pack which powers the motor can other be recharged using a power point, or using a petrol-powered generator.

The petrol generator ensures the car can be driven greater distances between recharge points, as it tops up the battery when the charge is low.

Combined, the motors have 120kW of power and 370Nm of torque, propelling the car to a top speed of 160km/h.

Solar panels in the glass sunroof help power the car’s accessories, such as the air-conditioning and audio systems.

The show car has cameras instead of side mirrors and the instrument layout can be customized by the driver, although these features aren’t likely to appear on the production car.

GM says the four-seater coupe is only a concept vehicle for now but it is a pointer to a hybrid Cadillac in the company’s near future.

Lutz said the concept car’s “aggressive, forward-leaning profile hints at a new, progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac’s design evolution”.

In other words, expect to see something like this in showrooms in a few years.

The 2009 Detroit Motor Show