The carmaker had previously hinted at an electric coupe with the Converj concept car, which looks almost identical to this production version. It features 20-inch alloy wheels and is the first to show Cadillac’s latest design language, complete with all-LED external lighting, as well as the HiPerStrut front suspension setup found on the Astra GTC and Insignia VXR in Europe.

Power is supplied by a 1.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, which produce a combined 207bhp and 295lb.ft of torque. The latter exceeds the 3.6-litre V6 engine found in the SRX. A T-shaped battery is located under the rear seats and centre console, and backed by an eight-year, 100,000 mile warranty.

Unlike the Volt or Ampera, the ELR features a Regen on Demand function, triggered by steering wheel paddles, which forces the powertrain to recapture energy from the car’s momentum to charge the battery.

Sales begin in early 2014 in North America, before being expanded to China and Europe. In the United States, the car is expected to be eligible for the desirable High Occupancy Lane access in California.