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…

Mobile

The 6 best car phone holders in 2024

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger with an iPhone 14 Pro.

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Installing a car phone mount in your vehicle is the best way to make sure that you have easy access to your smartphone when behind the wheel. While you shouldn't be using your phone while driving, having it mounted on your windshield, dashboard, vent, or anywhere else will let you take a quick glance when you're using a navigation app, or to change your playlist when you stop for a traffic light, for example. Instead of having to pick up your device, it will be easier and faster to get these done while it's on a car phone mount for less time of having your eyes off the road.

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.