description
the convertible 2-seater is not exactly cadillac's specialty : everybody remembers the failure of the uncompetitive allanté in the eighties and nineties / but when the american brand decided to come back to this prestigious niche market, it made it much more seriously / the xlr is the production version of the evoq concept car that made quite a stir and was the cornerstone of cadillac's design revolution / however, it has to be noted that the xlr is much less sharp-looking than its forerunner : its visual aggressiveness has been widely toned down / fortunately the retractable roof has been kept, even though its kinematics have been totally revised / the roof now classically folds into the trunk but the trunk lid is raised very high during the action instead of being opened backwards

despite being based on an altered chevrolet corvette platform, the xlr sports the praised cadillac northstar v8 / it was only available as a normally aspired 4.6 first, but since spring 2005 a supercharged 4.4 can be ordered / this xlr-v version stands out thanks to a wire mesh grille and 10-spoke wheels / with 315 or 440 horsepower, the xlr is ready to fight with its main competitor, the mercedes-benz sl, which is at least as powerful but much heavier too

photos
click on the pictures to download the full-size ones

data

identification	cadillac xlr
country	usa
appearances	2002 detroit naias / 2002 woodward dream cruise / 2003 detroit naias
body	2-door 2-seat coupé/convertible / electro-hydraulic retractable hardtop
designer	unknown
engine	- xlr : front-mounted v8 / 279 ci (4565 cc) / 315 hp @ 6400 rpm / 428 nm @ 4000 rpm / 4 overhead camshafts / continuously variable valve timing / 32 valves / electronic injection - xlr-v : front-mounted v8 / 267 ci (4371 cc) / 440 hp @ 6400 rpm / 576 nm @ 3600 rpm / 4 overhead camshafts / continuously variable valve timing / 32 valves / electronic injection / supercharger
transmission	- xlr : rear wheel drive / 5-speed automatic gearbox - xlr-v : rear wheel drive / 6-speed automatic gearbox
suspension	- xlr : double wishbone / upper & lower control arms / transverse leaf spring - xlr-v : double wishbone / upper & lower control arms / transverse leaf spring / stabilizer bar
brakes	power discs / abs
steering	power rack and pinion
wheels	- xlr : 235/50r18 - xlr-v : front : 235/45r19 / rear : 255/40r19
dimensions	- xlr : wheelbase 105.7 in (268.5 cm) / length 177.7 in (451.3 cm) / width 72.3 in (183.6 cm) / height 50.4 in (127.9 cm) / weight 3645 lbs (1653 kg) - xlr-v : wheelbase 105.7 in (268.5 cm) / length 177.7 in (451.3 cm) / width 72.3 in (183.6 cm) / height 50.4 in (127.9 cm) / weight 3806 lbs (1726 kg)
performances	- xlr : 0 to 60 mph 5.9 sec
production	in progress

photos 01/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26 : cadillac

last updated 28/03/2005