2004 Cadillac XLR Photos, engines & full specs

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.