Cadillac XLR

Infobox Automobile
name=Cadillac XLR


manufacturer=General Motors
production=2004–present
class=Luxury roadster
body_style=2-door coupé convertible
layout=FR layout
platform=Y-body
assembly=Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
related=Chevrolet Corvette
transmission=6-speed automatic
engine=4.6 L "Northstar" V8
4.4 L "Northstar" SC V8
wheelbase=105.7 in (2685 mm)
length=177.7 in (4514 mm)
width=72.3 in (1836 mm)
height=50.4 in (1280 mm)
weight=3840 lb (1740 kg)

The XLR is a retractable hardtop marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors, assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is based on the Y-body platform shared with the Chevrolet Corvette. The XLR uses the Cadillac Northstar engine rather than the GM LS2 engine found in the Corvette — along with its own styling, interior, and suspension, and power-retractable aluminum hardtop. The engine is Cadillac's 4.6 L Northstar tuned for convert|320|hp|kW PS|1|abbr=on, mated as of the 2007 model year to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Cadillac introduced the XLR at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, and it entered production in the 2004 model year. Prior to production the XLR appeared as the Evoq in auto shows. It has a base price of US$76,650. Sales have been below expectations.Fact|date=July 2008 Rather than reaching 6,000 per year, Cadillac had sold just 4,745 in 18 months as of March 2005. According to Cadillac, 3,730 were sold in the United States in all of 2005.Fact|date=July 2008

Designed for both performance and luxury, the XLR comes with heated and cooled leather seats, wood interior trim, 18 inch alloy wheels, and side airbags. Navigation, audio, and DVD are all displayed via a 7-inch dashboard screen, and Remote Keyless Access is included. All of these features are standard.

The XLR is the second roadster offered by Cadillac in recent years. The first was the Cadillac Allanté, produced from 1987 to 1993.

The XLR was nominated for the "North American Car of the Year" award for 2004.

Engine:
* 2004 Northstar 4.6 L (280 in³) V8

XLR-V

Cadillac gave the public its first glimpse of the supercharged XLR-V in its Super Bowl commercial, which aired February 6, 2005. Super Bowl MVP, Deion Branch was also awarded an XLR. The car was formally introduced at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.

The XLR-V uses the same supercharged "Northstar" V8 as the STS-V, though output is down somewhat. For the XLR-V, the engine is certified by the SAE to produce convert|443|hp|kW PS|abbr=on and 414 ft·lbf (561 N·m). The supercharger and four intercoolers are built into the intake manifold. A six-speed automatic transmission, larger brakes from the Z51 Corvette, and convert|19|in|mm|sing=on wheels will also be used.

The XLR-V can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds according to "Car and Driver"'s tests. The magazine also timed it at 11.3 seconds to convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and recorded a 13.0 second quarter mile at 110 mph (177 km/h). Its top speed is limited to convert|155|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on (Unlimited:convert|180|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on). [cite journal|title=Road Test: Cadillac XLR-V|author=Barry Winfield|journal=Car and Driver|issue=March 2006]

The XLR-V was introduced in the United States in early 2006 for a base price of $98,000. Pricing for the 2008 model starts at $101,300; making it one of General Motors' most expensive vehicles and putting Cadillac into the ultra luxury market.

2009

Announced in June 2008, the 2009 XLR includes a new front fascia, new rear fascia and new side fender vents. The revised design was inspired by the redesigned 2008 CTS sport sedan.

The front fascia includes new fog lamps and specific upper and lower grilles for the Platinum ultra-luxury and V-Series performance models. Both 2009 models feature the distinctive hood with a raised center section that was previously exclusive to the V-Series model. The Platinum model received additional exterior identifiers, including a revised rear fascia with more pronounced new exhaust tips and a new 18-inch wheel design.

Inside the 2009 XLR Alcantara - a suede-like microfiber material - is used for the headliner , in either Ebony or Cashmere color. New hand-cut and sewn leather used on the upper instrument panel. The updated cabin has new instrument cluster trim rings with revised graphics, and new wood dashboard trims (Natural Olive Ash Burl for XLR Platinum and Black Olive Ash Burl for XLR-V.)

References

External links

* [http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/model/landing.jsp?model=xlr Official site]
* [http://www.xlrforum.com XLR Forum]