VinyardSalerno616
Clearly relying on 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 fit alongside the wide grille. The performance puts up inside the supercar class.
Top speed is limited to 155 mph, and it can arrive at 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds - that's slightly quicker compared to the Jaguar XK, thanks to the larger engine. Other competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL and Porsche 911.
Looks can be deceiving. The car is wide and low, and appears big. In fact, it is extremely compact, just 177.5 inches long and 72.2 inches wide. The vehicle looks pretty good, particularly in the side. And also you get a very practical SLK-lookalike opening roof. I suppose most convertibles will be 'metal' convertibles soon, as well as the rag tops will disappear - not on all supercars. To save weight, the roof from the XLR is aluminum and magnesium.
Good power 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, which could work a little harder - 350-360 bhp, which may 't be rare to find from this engine, will make things more interesting.
Because it is, it is enough to own car a serious shove, and as the Northstar comes with 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 some rear mounted five-speed automatic transmission - 5 speeds place it in a disadvantage from the European supercars which mostly have six-speed automatics, however it is designed to give sporty shifts. Since the box is rear-mounted and also the engine is pretty well back, front/rear weight distribution is 50/50.
New frame concept
Based on GM's new platform for sporty cars distributed to the Corvette, the XLR includes a fairly light frame of hydro-formed steel tubes. Hydroforming changes the design quite dramatically, putting in bends, changing the section with a rectangle etc, creating a lightweight frame. The passenger compartment is aluminum, and the body panels are composite plastics. It is a structure that can take on many a supercar.
It is a fairly light structure, and inspite of the advanced level of equipment, the automobile weighs a wholesome 3,643 lb (1,654 kg) that is just 130 lb more than the new lightweight Jaguar XK, and of course a lot a lot more than the Corvette that features a lower spec but bigger engine.
Double wishbone suspension
Suspension will be the familiar Corvette style of double wishbones front and back with transverse leaf springs. The result is an easy, lightweight system that gives more roll stiffness - potential to deal with roll - than coil springs. Also, the spring minute rates are progressive, so that it irons out big bumps in the road almost as easily only a small amount ones. Additionally there is a front anti-roll bar.
In order to save weight, the double wishbones front and back are aluminum; obviously, the composite leaf springs are light, too. Leaf springs of the type - only one leaf - are in fact quite advanced technology as they don't locate the wheels, and incorporate some clever manufacturing techniques.
The dampers will be the new continuously variable electro-magnetic type, as well as the steering is speed sensitive, so that you have 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 along with a head-up display. The interior, using its wood, leather and aluminum trim is fairly pleasant
On the road
Built in exactly the same plant and to exactly the same concept because the Corvette, the Cadillac XLR is better looked at a softened up Corvette designed for those that desire a better ride.
Visibility is good because of slim pillars in the opening roof, and also the almost flat hood. Like the Corvette both instruments and driving position are fantastic. There's also a head-up display which shows only the speed and which gear you are in, and you don't seem in a position to turn off. Pity. I didnrrrt think it is useful.
The steering just isn't bad at all, and also the XLR turns in well, as you'd expect with this weight distribution, but once you commence pressing, you commence to feel just a little understeer coming in, that isn't a bad thing for your market this can be aimed at - more the luxury sports vehicle how the hard charging supercar driver. However the car doesn't corner as soon as you might with additional neutral steering.
The automatic is great. In D, the performance isn't bad whatsoever, and the kick-down is quite aggressive. Additionally there is a manual mode. Push the lever across on the left, then nudge it forward for up, and back for down. This works very well, and in actual fact is a manual. I am talking about, a few of these actually shift up whenever you hit peak revs. Not that one; it just enables you to stay there till you're all set.
