Cadillac ELR meets snow and ice in northern Michigan winter testing

Cadillac ELR meets snow and ice in northern Michigan winter testing Right after being displayed and winning an award at the cozy confines of the Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac ELR plug-in hybrid went into the snow for some real-world extreme driving conditions. Cadillac engineers recently completed chassis testing on pre-production ELR models, evaluating the cars handling in winter weather conditions.

Cadillac ELR meets snow and ice in northern Michigan winter testing

Cadillac ELR meets snow and ice in northern Michigan winter testing

GMs goal is to bring the Voltec-powered plug-in architecture from the Chevrolet Volt to the Cadillac brand in the ELR in early 2014. As you can see in the video below, Cadillac ELR chief engineer Chris Thomason lead the engineering team as they tested four systems – ABS, traction control, electronic stability control and Continuous Damping Control suspension. The suspension control system adjusts damping every two milliseconds to maintain optimal control over varying road conditions. If it looks freezing cold, thats because it is. Theyre working in the middle of the upper peninsula of Michigan in the dead of winter, plowing around in four inches of fresh snow.

Cadillac ELR meets snow and ice in northern Michigan winter testing

Despite the snow and ice, tire performance, stopping distance and brake performance are excellent, said Joshua Auden, Cadillac ELR vehicle performance engineer. The goal has been to balance making a car thats both safe and stable for the customer and fun to drive in all situations, he said.