For the 2016 model year, +Cadillac is giving the +Chevrolet Volt-based extended range EV coupe some updates and $9,000 price cut that will hopefully spur some sales. Despite it's stunning looks, the excessively high price and so-so performance of the ELR have severely hampered sales. A revised sport mode enables more of a hybrid style of control with the engine and electric drive to provide more power and cut the 0-60 time by 1.5 seconds to 6.4 seconds.
Ever since the the Volt launched in late 2010 followed a few years later by the ELR, the powertrain control has consisted of four modes. When the battery has sufficient charge, the car runs electrically using either one or both motors depending on the speed. Once the battery runs down, at speeds up to about 70 mph, the engine would start up to maintain the battery charge while the main electric motor provided drive. At higher speeds, some torque from the engine would also be blended in along with the second motor. This whole setup provided greater efficiency at high speeds.
The sport mode now enables that blended driving control at lower speeds for more aggressive acceleration. We'll see if this is enough to spur sales until the ELR is discontinued entirely.
