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, OnStar, High Intensity Discharge 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 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 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" or chrome wire mesh front grille, angular front High Intensity Discharge 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, and new wood dashboard trims. XLR production ended on March 31, 2009. MSRP - $86,000.
XLR-V
The Cadillac XLR-V, was a high-performance 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 MVPDeion 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. 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 and 414 lb·ft. 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 in 4.6 seconds according to Car and Driver's tests. The magazine also timed it at 11.3 seconds to 100 mph and recorded a 13.0 second quarter mile at 110 mph. Its top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph. 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.
