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CADILLAC XLR Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 3
First production year: 2003
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
CADILLAC XLR photo gallery

The 2008 Cadillac XLR had an extremely unique and eye-catching design that would have made everybody turn their heads.

The luxury roadster had a retractable hard top and with was offered in three trim levels: base, Platinum Edition and Alpine White Edition.

The base XLR was very well equipped with lots of luxury features such as adaptive xenon headlights, 8-way power and heated seats with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and a premium Bose audio system. A navigation system, as well as keyless ignition, head-up display and adaptive cruise control were included.

The XLR Platinum added different alloys, wood and metallic inserts for the interior, dedicated exterior paint colors and the specific Platinum badging.

As expected, the Alpine White Edition had a unique color and also featured a chrome grille and chrome wheels.

The XLR was driven by a 4.-6liter V8 engine that developed 320 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. With such a powerful engine came an efficient braking system.

Safety wise, the XLR came with antilock disc brakes, stability control, side airbags and rear parking sensors.

The luxurious interior was filled with the latest technology available. The cabin featured a nice combination of wood and aluminum trims that made it very attractive.

The trunk offered a decent load area.

full description and technical specifications
CADILLAC XLR-V photo gallery

AMG to Mercedes, M to BMW and V-series to Cadillac. Makes sense? The V-series were high-performance versions of the already released Cadillac models.

The XLR-V was fitted with a 4.4-liter V8 Northstar engine borrowed from GM, the powerplant being mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Hiding 443 hp under the hood, the XLR-V took around 4.7 seconds in the sprint to 100 kmh. The Northstar unit boasted incredible torque even at lower speeds, which the the powerful XLR-V very fun to drive.

The chassis was upgraded from the base model with a solid front anti-roll bar and a rear anti-roll bar that wasn’t present on the XLR. Thus, the ride was enhanced with the XLR-V becoming more stable at higher speeds.

The supercharged version XLR-V ran on with 19-inch wheels and Pirelli run-flats.

Standard equipment included a navigation system, dual-zone climate control, power seats, keyless go and French-stitiched leather coverings inside the cabin.

The two seater did not offer much space for luggages with the top down, and neither the cargo area was very generous. Using the XLR-V to go on a trip might have required to keep the top up in order to save up some space.

Although a sporty car, it had great comfort, great power and great style and offered good value for the money.

full description and technical specifications
CADILLAC XLR photo gallery

Cadillac went full throttle in 2003 when it introduced the XLR, targeting customers looking for a luxurious, go-fast roadster such as the Mercedes-Benz SL and the Jaguar XJ8, but its joy was short-lived.

The American brand was known for its limousines and luxurious SUVs but wanted more. It went after the European premium brands with a fresh design and platforms. After charging their customers with the Escalade and the CTS, the XLR was the boldest move. Cadillac used the same chassis as the Corvette C6, mounted a new bodywork on top, and created a luxurious roadster named XLR. The car was unveiled at the 2003 North American International Auto Show as a 2004 model year and lasted on the market until 2009, when the carmaker decided to pull the plug on it after failing to reach its targeted sales by a large margin.

Gone were the bulky lines of older Cadillacs, and the wedged shapes took over for the American automaker. At the front, it featured a narrow but broad grille crossed by three chromed horizontal slats. Its vertical headlights with HID lamps looked more dauntless than before. The lower bumper sported the main cooling area, which was flat and rectangular, flanked by squared fog lamps. Thanks to its narrow front end, the XLR looked more like a sports car, not an elegant open-top grand tourer.

From its profile, the low nose was followed by a raked windshield with thick A-pillars that served as safety systems during a rollover crash. The 18” light-alloy wheels with chromed finish were standard, and the enlarged wheel arches, both front and back, concealed the tires’ width. Unlike some of its competitors, the XLR featured a retractable hard top that could transform the vehicle from a roadster into a coupe in less than 30 seconds at the touch of a button. In the back, the wedged-shaped Caddy featured slim vertical taillights that flanked the short trunk lid. Finally, underneath the bumper, the automaker installed four exhausts, which offered a muffled but menacing sound.

Inside, the automaker worked with the famous jewelry maker Bulgari to design the instrument cluster. That sported a distinct look with neatly arranged dials and gauges and an LED display at the lower side that greeted its customers. In addition, drivers could use the head-up display that projected various information on the windshield. Cadillac added a touchscreen for the infotainment system on the center stack that featured satellite navigation. All these features were standard, and so were the leather-upholstered bucket seats. The center console housed the gear selector and some storage areas.

Under the hood, the XLR didn’t get an LS engine from the GM but a modern Northstar V8, 32-valve powerplant. Even though it had a smaller displacement than what the Corvette got, it provided enough power to push the car to 60 mph (97 kph) in less than six seconds from standing still.

full description and technical specifications