If the ELR weren’t expensive enough, Cadillac creates $90k Saks Fifth Avenue edition

By Peter Braun November 9, 2013

cadillac goes elr luxury ev saks fifth avenue edition 2014 — Cadillac calls this bespoke paint White Diamond, I call it goldish. Image used with permission by copyright holder

When Cadillac announced that it was releasing its first range-extended EV, the ELR, for 2014, the motoring world was sent into a tizzy. When Cadillac disclosed the $75,000 price tag, however, we were shocked.

Undaunted, it looks as though Cadillac has decided to go all-in on luxury with the Saks Fifth Avenue edition. And here I was thinking Caddies were supposed to be manly.

This special, limited-edition package will set you back an additional $14,500 on top of the starting $75,000, bringing the price up to nearly $90,000. That’s pretty close to Porsche 911 territory.

So what do you get for nearly twice the nation’s median household income? For starters, you get some very fancy paint. I would call it gold-ish but Saks and Caddy have dubbed it ‘White Diamond’. Ooh …

Customers will also get to choose between a Jet Black and Light Cashmere interior.

Where the package comes closest to actually being a value is the upgraded supercharging station that comes with each vehicle. The charging station will be professionally installed and should dramatically improve charging times.

Each customer will also be referred to his or her own ELR Concierge Representative trained in “white-glove customer service”. I don’t know about you but I have always wanted a butler for my car.

Only 100 Sak’s ELRs will be sold, so this is clearly more of a marketing ploy than a real sales strategy. Automakers frequently partner with designers or upscale retailers when they are trying to build a luxury image for new vehicles. So this partnership isn’t too surprising.

Cadillac must know that it is going to have a difficult campaign ahead convincing consumers that a car that is mechanically a $35,000 Chevy Volt is worth double that.

Personally, we at Digital Trends hope that the ELR turns out to be worth the candle.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.