Cadillac XLR – oh we barely knew ye

In 2004 Cadillac introduced the Cadillac XLR (Experimental Luxury Roadster).  Featuring an enhanced Corvette chassis and the Cadillac Northstar Engine, the new XLR was the very first car available with the magnetic MR suspension.  I covered the XLR in detail here, but I love these images of the final, 2009 XLR;

And what a luxurious interior:

It is a sort of standing joke that as soon as Automobile Manufacturers really get a model ‘right’ they cancel it. Farewell XLR.

On the other hand, welcome to interesting future used car value.  With low production numbers and wonderful appointments, the Cadillac XLR will be a unique choice for years to come.  Certainly not a car you will see everywhere.  The V8 model with 320 hp has adequate power, and of course the V Series model is available if you need more.

Final Specifications for the 2009 Cadillac XLR:

Overview

Model: Cadillac XLR Platinum and XLR-V luxury roadsters
Body style / driveline: XLR Platinum: 2-door hardtop convertible with rear-wheel drive
XLR-V: 2-door high-performance hardtop convertible with rear-wheel drive
Construction: hydroformed perimeter frame, structural center tunnel, aluminum cockpit frame
Manufacturing location: Bowling Green, Ky.
Key competitors: XLR Platinum: Mercedes-Benz SL500, Lexus SC 430, Jaguar Xk8
XLR-V: Mercedes Benz SL 55 AMG Roadster, Lexus SC Convertible, Jaguar XKR Convertible

Engines

Type: Northstar 4.6L V-8 VVT (variable valve timing) Northstar V-8 SC
(supercharged 4.4L DOHC V-8)
Application: XLR Platinum XLR-V
Displacement 279 / 4565 267 / 4371
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.66 x 3.31 / 93 x 84 3.58 x 3.31 / 91 x 84
Block material: cast aluminum upper – sand-cast 319 T7 aluminum
lower – die-cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum 319 T7 semi-permanent mold cast aluminum alloy
Crankshaft material: forged steel cast nodular iron
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, four-cam continuously variable valve timing roller follower DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Ignition system: coil-on-plug ignition, with extended-life dual platinum-tipped spark plugs coil-on-plug with extended-life dual platinum-tipped spark plugs
Fuel system: sequential electronic fuel injection returnless, electronic sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio: 10.5:1 9.0:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 320 / 239 @ 6400 443 / 330 @ 6400 rpm (SAE certified)*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 310 / 420 @ 4400 414 / 561 @ 3900 rpm (SAE certified)* 90 percent of peak torque available between 2200 and 6000 rpm
Recommended fuel: premium recommended but not required premium required
Max. engine speed (rpm): 6750 6700
EPA estimated fuel economy
(city / hwy):
15 / 24 14 / 21

Transmissions

Type: Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed, electronically controlled automatic
Application: XLR, XLR-V
Gear ratios:
First: 4.03:1
Second: 2.36
Third: 1.53
Fourth: 1.15
Fifth: 0.85
Sixth: 0.67
Reverse: 3.06
Final drive: 2.56
Max. shift speed (rpm): 6500

Chassis/Suspension

Front: short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, Magnetic Ride Control
Rear: short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, Magnetic Ride Control
Traction control system: full-range
Stabilizer bar: front: hollow, 28.6 mm x 4.5 mm wall thickness

rear: hollow, 23.6 mm x 3.5 mm wall thickness

Steering ratio: 17.2:1
Steering type: Magnasteer power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: 2.9
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): 39 / 11.9

Brakes

Type: XLR: power-assisted disc with 4-channel ABS, front and rear

XLR-V: heavy-duty with cross-drilled rotors and high-performance brake linings, dual-piston front calipers and single-piston rear calipers. Power-assist with 4-channel ABS front and rear.

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): XLR: front: 12.8 x 1.3 / 325 x 32; rear: 12.0 x 1.0 / 305 x 26
XLR-V: front: 13.4 x 1.3 / 340.4 x 32; rear: 13 x 1 / 330.2 x 26

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type: XLR: std: spun-cast painted aluminum, 18-inch x 8-inch; opt: chrome, 18-inch x 8-inch
XLR-V: std: painted aluminum, 19-inch x 8.5-inch; opt: chrome, 19-inch x 8.5-inch
Tires: XLR: P235/50R18 – Goodyear EMT Run Flat
XLR-V: P235/45R19 – Pirelli Run Flat

Dimensions
Exterior

Length (in / mm): 177.7 / 4513
Width (in / mm): 72.3 / 1836
Height (in / mm): 50.4 / 1279
Wheelbase (in / mm): 105.7 / 2685
Track (in / mm): XLR – 61.6 / 1564 (front); 62.1 / 1578 (rear)
XLR-V – 62.2 / 1580 (front); 62.2 / 1580 (rear)

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 0
Headroom (in / mm): 37.6 / 955
Legroom (in / mm): 42.6 / 1083
Shoulder room (in / mm): 54.3 / 1380
Hip room (in / mm): 53 / 1346

Capacities

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):
Top up: 11.6 / 328
Top down: 4.4 / 125
Fuel tank: (gal / L): 18 / 68.1
Engine oil (qt / L): 8 / 7.5
Curb weight (lb / kg) estimated: 3804 / 1726

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