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| − | Clearly influenced by the styling the Mercedes-Benz SLK, the new Cadillac XLR shares the squared off look of other recent Cadillacs. It does not look bad at all, even though the headlamps look as if they are squeezed to suit alongside the wide grille. The performance puts it in the supercar class.
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| − | Top speed is limited to 155 mph, also it can reach 60 mph in approximately 5.7 seconds - that's slightly quicker compared to Jaguar XK, due to the larger engine. Other competitors are the Mercedes-Benz SL and Porsche 911.
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| − | Looks may be deceiving. The automobile is wide and low, and appears big. In reality, it is quite compact, just 177.5 inches long and 72.2 " wide. The automobile looks pretty good, particularly from your side. And you get a very practical SLK-lookalike opening roof. I guess most convertibles will be 'metal' convertibles soon, and also the rag tops will appear reduced - perhaps not on all supercars. To save lots of weight, the top with the XLR is aluminum and magnesium.
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| − | Good power output
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| − | Also, the XLR has lots 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, which may work somewhat harder - 350-360 bhp, which would not nearly impossible to find using this engine, will make things more interesting.
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| − | As it is, it's enough to give the car quite a shove, and because the Northstar comes with an aluminum block and head with dohc and 4 valves per cylinder, it revs well. Variable valve timing increases the spread of power, too.
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| − | The engine is coupled to some rear mounted five-speed automatic transmission - 5 speeds put it at a disadvantage against the European supercars which mostly have six-speed automatics, but it's made to give sporty shifts. Since the box is rear-mounted and also the engine is fairly well back, front/rear weight distribution is 50/50.
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| − | New frame concept
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| − | According to GM's new platform for sporty cars shared with the Corvette, the XLR includes a fairly light frame of hydro-formed steel tubes. Hydroforming changes the design quite dramatically, investing in bends, changing the section with a rectangle etc, making a lightweight frame. The passenger compartment is aluminum, and the entire body panels are composite plastics. It is a structure that will take on many a supercar.
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| − | This is a fairly light structure, and despite the higher level of apparatus, the car weighs a healthy 3,643 lb (1,654 kg) that is just 130 lb greater than the new lightweight Jaguar XK, and of course a great deal greater than the Corvette which has a lower spec but bigger engine.
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| − | Double wishbone suspension
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| − | Suspension is the familiar Corvette style of double wishbones front and back with transverse leaf springs. It's wise a straightforward, lightweight system that provides more roll stiffness - potential to deal with roll - than coil springs. Also, the spring rate is progressive, so it irons out big bumps in the road almost as easily as little ones. Additionally there is a front anti-roll bar.
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| − | In order to save weight, the double wishbones front and back are aluminum; obviously, the composite leaf springs are light, too. Leaf springs of this type - only one leaf - are in fact quite advanced technology since they don't locate the wheels, and possess some clever manufacturing techniques.
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| − | The dampers would be the new continuously variable electro-magnetic type, and the steering is speed sensitive, which means you have more assistance at low speed.
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| − | Because this is a Cadillac, it arrives with a top specification. For Europe, navigation, and heated/cooled seats are standard much like adaptive speed control and a head-up display. The inside, using its wood, leather and aluminum trim is very pleasant
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| − | Traveling
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| − | Built-in exactly the same plant and to exactly the same concept because the Corvette, the Cadillac XLR is better thought of a softened up Corvette meant for those that need a better ride.
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| − | Visibility is good because of slim pillars within the opening roof, and also the almost flat hood. Just like the Corvette both the instruments and driving position are fantastic. Additionally there is a head-up display which shows only the speed and which gear you're in, and you are not appearing able to switch off. Pity. I did not think it is useful.
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| − | The steering just isn't bad whatsoever, and also the XLR turns in well, as you'd expect with that weight distribution, but when you commence pressing, you begin to feel a little understeer coming in, that isn't bad for your market this can be directed at - more the posh sports car the hard charging supercar driver. But the car doesn't corner as fast as you could with additional neutral steering.
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| − | The automated is nice. In D, the performance is not bad in any way, and also the kick-down is very aggressive. Gleam manual mode. Push the lever across left, and then nudge it forward for up, and back for down. This works well, and actually is a manual. After all, a few of these actually shift up once you hit peak revs. Not this; it simply lets you live there till you're all set.
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