CleekO'toole196
Clearly relying on the styling the Mercedes-Benz SLK, the brand new Cadillac XLR shares the squared off look of other recent Cadillacs. It does not look bad in any way, although the headlamps look like they are squeezed to fit alongside the wide grille. The performance puts up inside the supercar class.
Top speed is restricted to 155 mph, therefore it may get to 60 mph within 5.7 seconds - that's slightly quicker than the Jaguar XK, due to the larger engine. Other competitors are the Mercedes-Benz SL and Porsche 911.
Looks can be deceiving. The vehicle is wide and low, and appears big. In fact, it is extremely compact, just 177.5 inches long and 72.2 inches wide. The car looks decent, particularly in the side. And you obtain a very practical SLK-lookalike opening roof. I assume most convertibles will probably be 'metal' convertibles soon, as well as the rag tops decreased - not on all supercars. To save weight, the roof from the XLR is aluminum and magnesium.
Good output
Also, the XLR has quite a lot of power: 326 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 312 lb ft (423 Nm)at 4,400 rpm from GM's Northstar 4.6 liter V-8, that could work a bit harder - 350-360 bhp, which may not difficult to get from this engine, makes things more interesting.
Because it is, it is enough to give the car a significant shove, and as the Northstar has an aluminum block and head with dohc and four valves per cylinder, it revs well. Variable valve timing increases the spread of power, too.
The engine is coupled to a rear mounted five-speed automatic transmission - 5 speeds place it with a disadvantage against the European supercars which mostly have six-speed automatics, but it's designed to give sporty shifts. Because the box is rear-mounted and also the engine is rather well back, front/rear weight distribution is 50/50.
New frame concept
According to GM's new platform for sporty cars given to the Corvette, the XLR includes a fairly light frame of hydro-formed steel tubes. Hydroforming changes the shape quite dramatically, investing in bends, changing the section to some rectangle and so on, creating a lightweight frame. The passenger compartment is aluminum, and the body panels are composite plastics. It is a structure that will compete with many a supercar.
This is a fairly light structure, and regardless of the high level of equipment, the vehicle weighs a healthy 3,643 lb (1,654 kg) which is just 130 lb greater than the new lightweight Jaguar XK, not to mention a lot greater than the Corvette which has a lower spec but bigger engine.
Double wishbone suspension
Suspension is the familiar Corvette style of double wishbones front and rear with transverse leaf springs. It makes sense a simple, lightweight system that offers more roll stiffness - resistance to roll - than coil springs. Also, the spring rates are progressive, so that it irons out big bumps in the road almost as easily very little ones. Additionally there is a front anti-roll bar.
To save lots of weight, the double wishbones back and front are aluminum; of course, the composite leaf springs are light, too. Leaf springs of this type - only one leaf - are in fact quite advanced technology as they don't locate the wheels, and involve some clever manufacturing techniques.
The dampers are the new continuously variable electro-magnetic type, as well as the steering is speed sensitive, which means you get more assistance at low speed.
As this is a Cadillac, it comes with a high specification. For Europe, navigation, and heated/cooled seats are standard much like adaptive speed control and a head-up display. The inner, with its wood, leather and aluminum trim is fairly pleasant
Traveling
Built-in the identical plant also to the identical concept since the Corvette, the Cadillac XLR is most beneficial considered a softened up Corvette designed for those who want a better ride.
Visibility is great because of slim pillars within the opening roof, and the almost flat hood. Such as the Corvette the instruments and driving position are good. There is also a head-up display which shows only the speed and which gear you are in, and you also are not appearing in a position to turn off. Pity. I did not find it useful.
The steering just isn't bad at all, as well as the XLR turns in well, as you'd expect with this weight distribution, but once you start pressing, you begin to feel a little understeer arriving, that isn't a bad thing for the market this really is targeted at - more the luxurious sports vehicle that the hard charging supercar driver. However the car will not corner as soon as you can with additional neutral steering.
The automated is great. In D, the performance just isn't bad in any way, as well as the kick-down is very aggressive. Additionally there is a manual mode. Push the lever across left, and then nudge it forward for up, and back for down. This works extremely well, and also is really a manual. After all, some of these actually shift up once you hit peak revs. Not that one; it just enables you to live there till you're all set.
