Cadillac to introduce electric gas hybrid

U.S. automaker Cadillac says it will introduce an electric/gasoline hybrid car similar to the Chevrolet Volt in 2012, dubbed the Cadillac ELR.

Based on the Cadillac Converj concept car of 2009, the two-door coupe will contain a T-shaped battery pack and a four-cylinder engine, the same configuration found on the Chevy vehicle, Fox News reported Tuesday.

The rechargeable Volt has an all-electric range of 38 miles before switching to the gasoline engine for longer trips. Cadillac has not yet announced range and fuel efficiency targets for the ELR.

The Chevrolet Volt has been given an overall Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating equivalent to 98 miles per gallon.

Slightly more than 16,000 of the $39,995 Volts have been sold, significantly fewer than initial annual sales projections of 45,000. Cadillac has not yet released any ELR pricing figures.

The ELR will be built in the same Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant where the Volt is manufactured.