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, rear-mounted transmission and near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. As Cadillac's flagship model, the XLR was introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show and began production with model year 2004 — foreshadowed by the 1999 Evoq concept.

Cadillac XLR
Overview
ManufacturerCadillac (General Motors)
Production2003–2009
Model years2004–2009
AssemblyBowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. (Bowling Green Assembly Plant)
DesignerTom 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
ClassSports car / Luxury roadster
Body style2-door coupé convertible
LayoutFR layout
PlatformY-body/GMX215
RelatedChevrolet Corvette (C6)
Powertrain
Engine4.6 L Northstar V8
4.4 L Northstar Supercharged V8
Transmission
  • 5-speed 5L50 automatic
  • 6-speed 6L80 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase105.7 in (2,685 mm)
Length177.7 in (4,514 mm)
Width72.3 in (1,836 mm)
Height50.4 in (1,280 mm)
Curb weight3,840 lb (1,742 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorCadillac Allanté

As a badge engineered variant of the Chevrolet Corvette, also manufactured at GM's Bowling Green assembly, the XLR shared its GM Y platform, hydroformed perimeter frame and composite bodywork construction with the Corvette — with each have unique engines, exterior and interior styling, suspension settings and engine. The XLR 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. XLR was the last of the 2-door Cadillacs, which used to be produced in large numbers during most of the brand's history.

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, marketed as Magnetic 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.

Where the 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. It produced 320 hp and 310 lb·ft 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) front grille, which had a similar appearance to gravel shields commonly installed on cars during the 1930s. Other standard items included 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.

The base price of the XLR in the United States went from $75,385 ($116,742 in 2022 dollars[8]) at launch to $86,215 ($117,183 in 2022 dollars[8]) by the end of its run in 2009.[9]

XLR-V
2009 XLR-V
Rear view of a European-spec XLR

The Cadillac XLR-V was a high-performance variant of the XLR and part of the first-generation V-Series, with a total 443 hp (330 kW). 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.[10]

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 (97 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 (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 the United States went from $97,485 ($141,513 in 2022 dollars[8]) at launch to $104,215 ($141,649 in 2022 dollars[8]) by the end of its run in 2009.[9]

Sales

The XLR had sales projections of 5,000 to 7,000 per year.[12]

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[17] 188
2011[18] 12
Grand Total 15,460

See also

References

Notes
  1. "2004 Cadillac XLR - Set To Become An Icon For Cadillac's New Era". www.autointell.com.
  2. "2005-2013 Chevrolet C6 Corvette: Specifications, Prices, Performance Info". March 3, 2017.
  3. "XLR - Cadillac's Boldest Gesture Yet".
  4. "How Cadillac Designed a Comeback". June 18, 2013.
  5. "Gm Brands Born Again". December 13, 2005.
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  9. Riswick, James. "Edmunds InsideLine: Cadillac Killing XLR". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  10. "Tested: 2006 Cadillac XLR-V Leverages Sophisticated Performance". Car and Driver. December 31, 2020.
  11. Barry Winfield. "Road Test: Cadillac XLR-V". Car and Driver (March 2006).
  12. Ed Garsten (June 1, 2003). "Cadillac Revival at Crossroad". The Detroit News.
  13. "GM Reports December 2005 and Year Results". www.theautochannel.com.
  14. "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  15. "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  16. "Deliveries December 2009". Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  17. "General Motors 2010 Calendar Year Sales Up 21 Percent; December Sales Increase 16... - DETROIT, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/". Michigan: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  18. "Sales: December 2011 - General Motors - Cheers & Gears: Forums". Cheersandgears.com. Retrieved February 26, 2012.

Bibliography
  • Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
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