The XLR is meant to be a competitive threat against the well established European and Japanese luxury cars. This two-seater is Cadillac’s pride-and-joy. Don’t be confused – even though the XLR has the same platform as the Corvette, the XLR isn’t a Corvette in disguise. This caddy is more of a country cruising machine than a sports hot rod. The Caddy’s responses are softer and comfortably refined. It also uses a more subdued 4/6-liter, 320-horsepower V8 engine rather than the Vette’s edgier 6/2-liter, 436-hp V8 power plant.
The XLR makes good use of lightweight parts, such as aluminum suspension pieces, that keeps the XLR’s weight pretty reasonable. Furthermore, the defacto Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension system automatically adjusts ride smoothness, based upon how bumpy the road is. Adding this up provide smooth and responsive maneuvers. The mash-up of the cutting exterior and bold interior with catching accents do make for a compelling presence. Further, the XLR’s power retractable hardtop roof allows the comfort and security of a coupe when the top is raised. If going top down, then you really should get a windscreen.
The Cadillac XLR is a good-to-great car, but it’s not the “standard of the world” as GM likes to proclaim it as. Though its styling and Cadillac badge will appeal to those looking to roll up to the valet in something different from the status quo, the XLR comes up short in terms of maximum performance. The interior is especially disappointing when compared to its similarly priced rivals from Germany and Great Britain. Furthermore, the XLR doesn’t really offer that much more than a fully loaded Corvette, which is about $20,000 cheaper and 116-hp more powerful.
Even though the XLR is pretty zippy, this still isn’t a true sport car – you better look elsewhere. Acceleration, though certainly quick, is not as forceful as its corporate cousin. The XLR’s softer suspension tuning results in noticeable body roll during hard cornering and plenty of nosedive under heavy braking. Even though this car is fitted with adaptive suspension with split-second control, the XLR is still not up to the handling performance of its European and Japanese rivals. The XLR does its best driving on the highway, when you’re in the straight line. If going with the top down, then your wife will thank you for getting a windscreen.
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The author is a fan of the Cadillac XLR windscreen windblocker wind deflector,psychic reviews, and the Seattle HCG Diet & Weight Loss.
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