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 for the 2004 model year — foreshadowed by the 1999 Evoq concept.
| Cadillac XLR | |
|---|---|
| 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) Kip Wasenko (Evoq Concept: 1998; chief designer of prod: 2000) Wayne Cherry (design director) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Y-body/GMX215 |
| Related | Chevrolet Corvette (C5) Chevrolet Corvette (C6) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.6 L Northstar V8 4.4 L Northstar Supercharged V8 |
| 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 |
The Cadillac XLR, although sometimes perceived as a badge-engineered variant of the Chevrolet Corvette – also manufactured at GM's Bowling Green assembly, and with the XLR sharing its GM Y platform, hydroformed perimeter frame and composite bodywork construction technology with the Corvette — each car has unique engines, exterior body panels, and their own interiors, suspension settings; and importantly, the XLR featured a power retractable hardtop. And the XLR arrived a year ahead of its platform sharing C6 Corvette sibling.
The XLR was the first production Cadillac with radar-based adaptive cruise control (ACC) 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.