Cadillac XLR
The Cadillac XLR is a front-engine, rear-drive, two passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 2003 to 2009 across a single generation — and noted for its power retractable hardtop, Bulgari designed interior instruments, head-up display, adaptive suspension marketed as Magnetic Ride Control, rear-mounted transmission and near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. As Cadillac's flagship model, the XLR was introduced at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show and began production with model year 2004 — foreshadowed by the 1999 Evoq concept.
| Cadillac XLR | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Production | 2003–2009 |
| Model years | 2004–2009 |
| Assembly | Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. |
| 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 | Sports / Luxury roadster |
| Body style | 2-door coupé convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Y-body |
| Related | Chevrolet Corvette (C6) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.6 L Northstar V8 4.4 L Northstar Supercharged V8 |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in (2685 mm) |
| Length | 177.7 in (4514 mm) |
| Width | 72.3 in (1836 mm) |
| Height | 50.4 in (1280 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3840 lb (1740 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Cadillac Allanté |
Sharing the GM Y platform and manufactured alongside the Chevrolet Corvette in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the two cars also share hydroformed perimeter frame and composite bodywork construction — though each have unique exterior and interior styling, suspension settings and engine. The XLR and was the first production Cadillac with radar-based adaptive cruise control (ACC)[6] and the first to offer both heated and cooled seats.
The XLR was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2004.
Design
The Cadillac XLR was marketed as a luxury roadster 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, and a full 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's featured adaptive suspension with magneto-rheological shock absorber fluid for enhanced ride control. The system uses 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 are filled with a fluid that contains suspended iron particles that respond to magnetic signals. The system responds by constantly monitoring motion and changing the damping forces at all four corners of the vehicle — to modulate body motion during aggressive maneuvers or on uneven road surfaces.
Where Chevrolet Corvette (C6) was powered by a 6.0L LS2 V8 engine and offered a six-speed manual transmission, the XLR featured Cadillac's 4.6L Northstar V8 (supercharged in the XLR-V) and either a five-speed 5L50 automatic transmission, or a six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission. Optional XLR equipment included polished aluminum-alloy wheels, exterior and interior color options, and different interior trim options.
The XLR featured a silver-painted upper "Egg Crate" (XLR) or chrome wire mesh (XLR-V) front grille, angular front High Intensity Discharge (HID) front head lamps, vertical rear tail lamps, and chrome exterior details. Inside, the XLR featured wood interior trim in addition to the C6 Corvette's aluminum trim, and different seats.
For model year 2009, the XLR added a new front fascia, new rear fascia, and chrome side fender vents. Inside, Alcantara - a suede-like microfiber 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.
MSRP - $86,000.[8]
XLR-V
The Cadillac XLR-V, was a high-performance (443 HP) version of the XLR. 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. Contrary to popular belief, it was not intended to compete with the BMW M6 or the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL-Class.[9]
The XLR-V used the same supercharged Northstar V8 as the STS-V, though output was down somewhat. For the XLR-V, the engine was certified by the SAE to produce 443 hp (330 kW) and 414 lb·ft (561 N·m). The supercharger and four intercooler cores were built into the intake manifold. A six-speed automatic transmission, larger brakes from the Z51 Corvette, and 19-inch wheels were used.
The XLR-V could accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds according to Car and Driver's tests. The magazine also timed it at 11.3 seconds to 100 mph (161 km/h) and recorded a 13.0 second quarter mile at 110 mph (177 km/h). Its top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h).[10]
The XLR-V went on sale in the United States in early 2006 with a base price of $110,000. Pricing for the 2008 model started at $111,300; making it at the time one of General Motors' most expensive vehicles.
Sales
The XLR had sales projections of 5,000 to 7,000 per year.[11]
| Calendar Year | Total American sales |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 875 |
| 2004[12] | 3,665 |
| 2005 | 3,730 |
| 2006[13] | 3,203 |
| 2007 | 1,750 |
| 2008[14] | 1,250 |
| 2009[15] | 787 |
| 2010[16] | 188 [Leftover 2009-Titled Vehicles] |
| 2011[17] | 12 [Leftover 2009-Titled Vehicles] |
| Grand Total | 15,460 |
References
Notes
- http://www.autointell.com/News-2003/March-2003/March-2003-3/March-19-03-p1.htm
- https://www.corvsport.com/c6-corvette-evolution-superstar/
- http://www.motorsportscenter.com/printer_134.shtml
- https://www.fastcompany.com/1672830/how-cadillac-designed-a-comeback
- https://www.autonews.com/article/19990104/ANA/901040720/gm-brands-born-again
- http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delphis-adaptive-cruise-control-technology-featured-on-cadillac-xlr-71376412.html Delphi's Adaptive Cruise Control Technology Featured On Cadillac XLR
- Krebs, Michelle (October 18, 2002). "DRIVING: BELLS & WHISTLES; Bulgari Touch In Cadillacs". The New York Times. New York. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
- Riswick, James. "Edmunds InsideLine: Cadillac Killing XLR". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a18202477/2006-cadillac-xlr-v-instrumented-test/
- Barry Winfield. "Road Test: Cadillac XLR-V". Car and Driver (March 2006).
- Ed Garsten (June 1, 2003). "Cadillac Revival at Crossroad". The Detroit News.
- http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/01/05/205609.html
- "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2007-01-03. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- "Deliveries December 2009". Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- "General Motors 2010 Calendar Year Sales Up 21 Percent; December Sales Increase 16... - DETROIT, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/". Michigan: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- "Sales: December 2011 - General Motors - Cheers & Gears: Forums". Cheersandgears.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
Bibliography
- Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
