| Cadillac XLR | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac (General Motors) |
| Production | 2003–2009 |
| Model years | 2004–2009 |
| Assembly | Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. (Bowling Green Assembly Plant) |
| Designer | Tom Peters (prod. exterior: 1999, 2000)[1][2] Kip Wasenko (Evoq Concept: 1998; chief designer of prod: 2000)[3][4] Wayne Cherry (design director)[5] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-doorroadster |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Y-body/GMX215 |
| Related | Chevrolet Corvette (C5) Chevrolet Corvette (C6) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.6 LNorthstarV8 4.4 LNorthstarSuperchargedV8 |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in (2,685 mm) |
| Length | 177.7 in (4,514 mm) |
| Width | 72.3 in (1,836 mm) |
| Height | 50.4 in (1,280 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,840 lb (1,742 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Cadillac Allanté |
TheCadillac XLR is a two-passengerroadster manufactured and marketed byCadillac from 2003 to 2009 across a single generation. It was noted for its powerretractable hardtop,Bulgari designed interior instruments,head-up display,adaptive suspension, rear-mounted transmission and near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. The XLR was introduced at the 2003North American International Auto Show as ahalo model for Cadillac, and began production for the 2004model year. The design was inspired by the 1999Evoq concept.
The Cadillac XLR, although sometimes thought of as abadge-engineered variant of theC6 Chevrolet Corvette, also manufactured at GM'sBowling Green assembly, actually made its debut a year ahead of it. While the two share theGM Y platform,hydroformed perimeter frame, and composite bodywork construction technology, each has distinct engines, bodies, interiors, and suspension settings, with the XLR also featuring a unique power retractable hardtop.
The XLR was the first production Cadillac withradar-basedadaptive cruise control (ACC) and the first to offer both heated and cooled seats.
The XLR was nominated for theNorth American Car of the Year award for 2004.[6]
The XLR was marketed as a luxuryroadster and offered numerous features either as standard equipment or as options, including a touchscreen GPS navigation radio with an AM/FM radio, CD changer,XM Satellite Radio, full voice control,Bose premium amplified audio system, adaptive cruise control,Bulgari-branded instrument panel cluster,[7]OnStar, High Intensity Discharge (HID) front headlamps, perforated luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces with power-adjustable, heated and cooled bucket seats with a driver's memory system, luxury carpeted floor mats with embroidered 'XLR' logos, premium aluminum-alloy wheels, and wood interior trim.
The XLR featured adaptive suspension withmagneto-rheological shock absorber fluid for enhanced ride control. The system, marketed asMagnetic Ride Control, used four wheel-to-body displacement sensors to measure wheel motion over the road surface and responds by adjusting the shock damping almost instantly. The shock absorbers were filled with a fluid containing suspended iron particles responsive to magnetic signals. The system constantly monitored motion and changed the damping forces at all four corners of the vehicle — to modulate body motion for quick maneuvers or uneven road surfaces.
Whereas theChevrolet Corvette (C6) was powered by a 6.0 L GMLS2 V8 engine and offered with a six-speed manual transmission, the XLR featuredCadillac's 4.6 LNorthstar V8 (supercharged in the XLR-V) and either a five-speed 5L50 automatic transmission, or a six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission. It produced 320 hp (239 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) of torque in the standard trim. Optional XLR equipment included polished aluminum-alloy wheels, exterior and interior color options, and different interior trim options.
The XLR featured the traditional Cadillac, silver-painted upper "Egg Crate" (XLR) or chrome wire mesh (XLR-V) frontgrille.
For the 2009 model year, the XLR added a new front fascia, new rear fascia, and chrome side fender vents. Inside,Alcantara - a suede-likemicrofiber material - was added for the headliner. The interior added new instrument cluster trim rings with revised graphics, (removal of the Bulgari logo) and new wood dashboard trims. XLR production ended on March 31, 2009.
The base price of the XLR in theUnited States went from $75,385 ($125,437 in 2024 dollars[8]) at launch to $86,215 ($125,911 in 2024 dollars[8]) by the end of its run in 2009.[9]
TheCadillac XLR-V is a high-performance variant of the XLR and part of the first-generationV-Series. Cadillac gave the public its first glimpse of thesupercharged XLR-V in itsSuper Bowl commercial, which aired February 6, 2005. Super BowlMVPDeion Branch was also awarded an XLR. The car was formally introduced at the 2005New York International Auto Show.
The XLR-V used the same superchargedNorthstar LC3V8 as theSTS-V, although output was reduced somewhat. For the XLR-V, the engine produced 443 hp (330 kW) and 414 lb⋅ft (561 N⋅m). The supercharger and fourintercooler cores were built into the intake manifold. A six-speedautomatic transmission, larger brakes from the Z51 Corvette, and 19-inch wheels were used.
The XLR-V could accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.6seconds according toCar and Driver's tests.[10] The magazine also timed it at 11.3 seconds to 100 mph (160 km/h) and recorded a 13.0 second quarter mile at 110 mph (180 km/h). Its top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h).[11]
The base price of the XLR-V in theUnited States went from $97,485 ($152,053 in 2024 dollars[8]) at launch to $104,215 ($152,199 in 2024 dollars[8]) by the end of its run in 2009.[9]
The XLR had sales projections of 5,000 to 7,000 per year.[12] A total of 15,460 were produced over its nine-year model run.
| Calendar Year | Total American sales |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 875 |
| 2004[13] | 3,665 |
| 2005 | 3,730 |
| 2006[14] | 3,203 |
| 2007 | 1,750 |
| 2008[15] | 1,250 |
| 2009[16] | 787 |
| 2010 | 188 |
| 2011[17] | 12 |
| Total | 15,460 |
Established in 1902, aGeneral Motors division since 1908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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