GM reportedly gives green light to development of Cadillac Converj electric coupe

November 9, 6:45 PMNY Autos ExaminerNick Yost

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Cadillac Converj concept
General Motors photo

DETROIT, Nov. 9 -- Cadillac has been given the go-ahead to develop the Converj, an extended-range electric vehicle concept that generated lots of interest during the 2009 auto shows, the Detroit News reported today.

The vehicle will use the same technology developed for the Chevrolet Volt, which is due to go on sale at the end of next year.

If the Converj follows the Volt formula, it will be powered exclusively by an electric motor that can go 40 miles on a charge. If the trip lasts longer than 40 miles a gasoline engine will start up to supply power to a generator that will keep the vehicle moving for a total of nearly 300 miles.

The Volt's lithium-ion battery can be recharged in three hours using a 240-volt electric supply, and in eight hours with a 120-volt electric line.

The Detroit News said that no production date has been set, indicating that it will be several years before the Converj will go on sale.

Earlier this year, Cadillac said it had no plans to develop the handsome four-passenger coupe, but Cadillac sales have fallen by 39.2 percent this year,

Cadillac declined to comment on the Converj, but Rebecca Lindland, IHS Global Insight's director of auto industry research, told the News that "Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it's a good strategy for them."