View Full Version : Cadillac News: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO]


Cadillac Forum
01-11-09, 12:40 PM
Filed under: Concept Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/), Detroit Auto Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/detroit-auto-show/), Coupes (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Green (http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/), Cadillac (http://www.autoblog.com/category/cadillac/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconveropt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278497/)
Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj from Detroit


Cadillac just took the wraps off a new concept based on the Chevy Volt's "Voltec" drivetrain (that's a new moniker, by the way). The angular coupe is called the Converj and it is drop-dead gorgeous. With styling that is instantly recognizable as Cadillac, Bob Lutz told us at the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own. It's just a great shape that holds great promise. Lutz and Co. referred to the Converj as the "CADILLAC OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES" and even if that sounds trite, it could well bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car heap, with a solid foundation of SRX and CTS below it.

Like the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/officially-official-gm-reveals-the-2011-chevy-volt/), GM says the Converj will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, and it will have a small helper motor to help drivers avoid "range anxiety." That's the term for the fear of running out of charge when you're still miles away from your final destination. As Lutz pointed out, you can't run down to the gas station for a 5-gallon can of electricity. There's a lengthy press release after the jump with plenty of stats. All we can say is that we'd love to hear that that the Converj is going into production tomorrow, but the reality of GM's current financial situation probably means they won't be able to make any firm commitments for awhile. Hit the jump to view video of the live unveiling.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips, Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconverjdd_01_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278496/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconverjdd_02_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278497/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconverjdd_03_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278495/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconverjnaias09---01_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278612/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/cadillacconverjnaias09---02_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj/1278623/)
Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO] (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj-w-video/)

Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO] (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-cadillac-converj-w-video/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).



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C6Vette
01-11-09, 10:17 PM
Has anyone seen this? It's flat out gorgeous. Here's a link with lots of pics.
http://jalopnik.com/5128642/cadillac-converj-concept-a-volt-for-cadillac

I love the side view.

Mac141
01-11-09, 11:19 PM
Oh yeah....if the price is right...sign me up.
Very nice indeed. The future is looking mighty bright. We hope.

proexpert
01-12-09, 12:37 AM
Oh yeah, forget the Volt, I'll take one of these ASAP please.

Loveldos
01-12-09, 12:52 AM
Cadillac designers have done a great job incorporating the "Arts & Science" theme into a small car--something not easily done. The interior is superb! It's the first hybrid to really interest me, although the Tesla roadster (based on the Lotus, see http://www.teslamotors.com/ ) came close! The Converj incorporates styling features from the gorgeous Cien Concept. :highfive:

Zymurgy
01-12-09, 12:54 AM
Gorgeous:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/Cadillac-Converj-Concept-Detroit.jpg

KenD245
01-12-09, 07:44 AM
With a door design like that I would not like to be the one parked next to it in the parking lot. A DOOR DING FOR SURE.

AmerLux
01-12-09, 10:35 AM
WOW! better styling then the CTS Coupe and Hybrid-goodness. $80,000+ im sure...sad...sad...I want one!

billc83
01-12-09, 05:18 PM
Here's my question: Since the exterior dimensions are similar to the BMW 3-Series, and since Cadillac has been stating they want a 3-Series competitor (in size, the CTS is more similar to a 5-Series), couldn't GM crank out a sedan version and pop a four cylinder (or V6) under the hood and have an instant 3-Series fighter?

AmerLux
01-12-09, 06:41 PM
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s144/lijahlloyd/cadillac_done-1.jpg

its electric get it?:)

Everyone should write GM and demand this car is produced!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/233452/cadillac_converj.html

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s144/lijahlloyd/ctc.jpg

stevbo200
01-12-09, 06:44 PM
nice, very future looking.

Lord Cadillac
01-12-09, 06:51 PM
The Cadillac Converj Concept (http://cadillacenthusiastmagazine.com/cadillac-magazine/2009/01/12/cadillac-converj-concept/)

greyghost04
01-12-09, 07:18 PM
It's beautiful!!

afterdigital
01-12-09, 08:05 PM
I'm sure it will be sometime until we see a hybrid CTS (GM probably blowing smoke up our arses) but the concept sure is purty.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=296&pictureid=1917

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=296&pictureid=1918
Here are pics

http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/detroit2009/photogallerypopup.aspx?cp-documentid=16461579&photo-number=1

Here is a short story

http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/detroit2009/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=16745538

fritze18
01-12-09, 08:23 PM
It looks like a Pontiac G6 coupe with a Cadillac grille and some very different headlights...
The spokes of the wheels are angled... I hate that look... they will be on different angles on opposite sides of the vehicle, they always look as if they just don't match. Just my 2 cents...

radbag
01-12-09, 08:41 PM
i love the futuristic look...mind you, without looking directly at the grill, i could've sworn that was the mercury cougar when it became a mini-car....the way the passenger window kinda melds into the back seat window...the angularity of it all....meh.

radbag
01-12-09, 08:44 PM
this pic might illustrate my bizarre thinking on this....the window similarity

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/2001-2002_Mercury_Cougar.jpg/800px-2001-2002_Mercury_Cougar.jpg

rchern
01-12-09, 09:17 PM
I saw on the internet that GM unveiled three new cars at the Detriot Auto Show. They are the SRX, the CTS station wagon and the Converj concept. What happened to the CTS coupe? I see that Cadillac still has the old Cts coupe announcement on their website. Has anyone been to the Detroit Auto Show and seen or at least gotten some word on the coupe?

yomommas
01-12-09, 10:48 PM
nice

tommy compton
01-12-09, 11:05 PM
they shoulda put that hood on the gen2 cts

gpet6669
01-13-09, 12:02 AM
I wonder if it will come out in a 4 door sedan?? I doubt it! They suck when it comes to options on the HYBRIDS!

But I like the new concept anyways! It looks cool, I bet they will get rid of most of the cool stuff before it makes it into production.

AmerLux
01-13-09, 10:43 AM
Mercury cougar....really... THAT's what you see when you look at the converj? Pontiac G6 coupe????

Well hold on to you 08's for as long as you can because this is the next step in art 'n' science design. Count on the whole fleet resembeling this car in the next 5 years.

...assuming there still is a Cadillac brand in 5 yrs.:confused:

AmerLux
01-13-09, 10:57 AM
Photo-chop

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s144/lijahlloyd/cadillac_done-1.jpg

I posted this in the 08 forum already but....it's an electric/hybrid so it needed some electricity!

greyghost04
01-13-09, 11:04 AM
If that is what my new CTS will look like in 3 years, there is no way I'm going to let them attach the front plate. I'll pay for all the tickets.

urbanski
01-13-09, 12:21 PM
converj therads converjed. 1 is enough.

afterdigital
01-13-09, 01:12 PM
If that is what my new CTS will look like in 3 years, there is no way I'm going to let them attach the front plate. I'll pay for all the tickets.


:histeric::histeric::histeric::histeric:

gordon87
01-13-09, 06:31 PM
Autoblog Vote: Detroit 2009: What's the best of the show?

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-whats-the-best-of-the-show/

elo_mcfeelo
01-14-09, 02:06 PM
Cadillac 16 concept + 08/09 CTS + CTS coupe = Converj concept.

Looks like the "Art and Science" design attracted very large crowd lately.
When I first looked at the new Converj photo I saw my 08 CTS with a little make-up on it.

blunted
01-15-09, 03:57 PM
I'm a fan.. an electric car that doesn't look like something you'd find at the bottom of a cereal box. I'm not getting my hopes up though.. with the way the volt is looking now and GM $$$ issues.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2823/221/32055110488_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2823/221/32055110490_large.jpg

More pic's and info here.. http://blog.cardomain.com/2009/01/12/cadillac-converj-the-hottest-car-at-naias/?utm_source=hp-exclusives&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=hp-exclusives

MauiV
01-15-09, 03:59 PM
I like it a lot. Resembles the CTS Coupe design a bit.

Hope they dont ruin the production design if it does go ahead like they did on the Volt and make it another Civic look-a-like.

dirt_cheap_fleetwood
01-15-09, 04:01 PM
Not bad. However, from that rear angle shot it reminds me instantly of a Civic Coupe.

The Tony Show
01-15-09, 04:09 PM
^ Blashpemy!

Lutz has said that unlike the Volt, the Converj would stay true to the concept if it makes production (the reason being that the car would be sold on its style and merits as a luxury performance car- the Voltec battery system being a "bonus", instead of the main attraction).

I like it a lot. If Cadillac had found a way to bring cars like the Cien and Sixteen to market, their image would be even better than it has become thanks to the CTS.

gordon87
01-19-09, 12:31 PM
It won the AutoblogGreen Readers Poll: Top Ten Vehicles, NAIAS 2009:

http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/autobloggreen-readers-poll-top-ten-vehilces-naias-2009/1301293/

The commentary:

The Cadillac Converj kept its lead through the end of polling Friday to take top honors in the AutoblogGreen reader poll for best vehicle, concept or production. Netting an impressive 482 votes (18.2%), the Converj looks great in concept form. Once it gets real side mirrors and all the other changes that a production version will need, we'll see if you're all still as excited about the Converj when (if) it comes to sales floors.