GM’s Cadillac brand said it intends to provide a responsive and engaging driving experience in the upcoming Cadillac ELR extended-range electric vehicle. The ELR’s propulsion system can instantly deliver 295 lb.-ft. of torque, due to the electric drive system, so Cadillac’s engineers used a HiPer Strut front suspension system to improve handling. In the vehicle’s rear suspension, the ELR uses a Watt’s link design to center the car’s rear axle during turns, thereby providing what GM describes as a more “balanced” driving experience.

The ELR has four driver selectable driving modes, including Sport, which provides quicker torque application and more driver feedback, and the Tour, Hold, and Mountain driving modes.

The ELR’s power steering system is designed to provide feedback to the driver while saving fuel. It has a rack-mounted, dual-pinion system that consumes energy only when the driver is actively steering the vehicle.

Cadillac also uses damping control system to adjust damping for each 20-inch wheel every two milliseconds to maintain optimal vehicle ride control on different road surfaces. For example, on smooth roads, the dampers adjust to the softest setting to improve ride comfort.

The ELR is set to arrive in early 2014. The ELR’s propulsion system can provide a full driving range of more than 300 miles by using the electric drive system and gasoline generator.

The diagram below details the different suspension features on the upcoming ELR.