Road Test: 2009 Cadillac XLR

MSRP: $86,215 - $104,215
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2009 Cadillac XLR Overview

_{By: Jeffrey N. Ross,  Autotropolis Editor}
From the timeless design of the 1959 Eldorado to the Italian-designed 1987 Allanté, Cadillac’s history with convertibles may not have broken any sales figures, but it has produced some of the most attractive examples of drop-top luxury cars. Most people probably wouldn’t associate the Cadillac brand with a high-performance convertible, but with the sporty XLR in its lineup, Cadillac shows that it can play in the luxury sport coupe market. After the 1980s and 1990s when Cadillac’s luxury image fell to the wayside for cost-saving badge engineering, the company adopted a more stylish and edgy design known as “Art & Science” that was introduced on the 2003 CTS. Following up the CTS, Cadillac introduced its sporty XLR roadster in 2004, which is built alongside the Chevrolet Corvette in Bowling Green, Ky. The 2009 Cadillac XLR competes mainly against luxury sport coupes such as the Porsche 911 Carrera, BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and the Jaguar XK. For 2009, the XLR is available in two trim levels: the XLR Platinum with a starting MSRP of $86,215 and the supercharged XLR-V with a starting MSRP of $104,215. Making its price even sweeter, the XLR comes very close to fully loaded as standard equipment including just about every tech goody imaginable. Our test model tipped barely broke the $88,000 barrier and only added the optional ($1,000) chrome wheels.

Exterior

After five years on the market, Cadillac gave the 2009 XLR a subtle mid-cycle enhancement to improve the car’s visual sportiness without disrupting the sexy, angular design that makes the XLR instantly recognizable. Up front, a new fascia, hood and grille give the car a more aggressive face, while the tall fender vents help give some definition to the profile view. The new hood features the power bulge that was formerly exclusive to past XLR-V models, while the larger grille opening is now similar to other Cadillac models – most notably, the Escalade. Finishing off the front, projector beam fog lamps replace the oversized, rectangle-shaped fog lamps of the previous XLR models. Out back, the quad oval exhaust outlets are now replaced by sleeker and wider dual outlets that are stylishly integrated into the new rear fascia’s design. The new XLR also features a new set of stylish 18-inch, nine-spoke alloy wheels available in either a painted or chrome finish – our test model came with the latter. The power retractable hardtop gives the XLR the distinct advantage of looking just as sleek with the top up as it does when the top is down. Cycling the top (up or down) only takes about 15 seconds.

Interior

Unlike a base model Corvette, the base XLR features a stylish and comfortable cabin that a true luxury car deserves and the 2009 model is now ever more refined. Like the exterior, Cadillac focused on subtle changes to improve the luxurious atmosphere. Helping to give the XLR a cabin deserving of a Cadillac, the 2009 model uses hand-cut and hand-stitched leather on the upper instrument panel and uses Alcantara (a suede-like microfiber material) for the headliner. A new Natural Olive Ash Burl accent will be used on the center stack, center console, steering wheel and door panel pull handle, while the metallic accents now use what Cadillac calls Quartz metal trim giving a similar look to brushed aluminum. A new instrument cluster now uses a sportier font replacing the boring block numbers of the previous models.

The DVD-based navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and OnStar all provided unique conveniences, but one of the most useful options on the 2009 XLR is the adaptive cruise control which is easily viewable and adjustable using the heads-up display. Simply set the desired speed and following distance and the radar-based system handles the rest.

Performance & Handling

While the Corvette uses a 430-horsepower LS3 6.0-liter V-8, the XLR Platinum we test drove gets Cadillac’s 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 with variable valve timing which is capable of 320 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the 2008 Corvette Z51 we drove last year, the lack of horsepower is definitely apparent in the XLR Platinum, but what is lacks in power it makes up for in comfort and style. Like the Corvette and its more powerful Z06 and ZR1 options, the XLR is also available in a souped-up version, the 443-horsepower XLR-V with a supercharged 4.4-liter Northstar V-8. There is no shortage of performance from the XLR Platinum with Cadillac specs showing that the car has a top speed of 155 miles per hour and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds. Although no manual transmission available on the XLR, the electronically controlled six-speed Hydra-Matic automatic provides quick, smooth shifts. For optimal balance, the XLR’s transmission is mounted in the rear of the car identical to the layout of the Corvette and the Plymouth Prowler. Despite giving up 110 horsepower and using variable valve timing, the XLR weighs about 600 pounds more than the Corvette convertible so the EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway are equal to or worse than the Corvette (depending on the model and transmission).

With a balance of performance and luxury in mind, all XLR models use Cadillac’s innovative Magnetic Ride Control system. This system uses sensors and an on-board computer to provide real-time vehicle suspension dampening that adjusts instantly to changing road conditions. Between the quick response, high-revving engine and the advanced suspension system, the 2009 XLR is truly a joy to drive offering decent performance and handling to compliment the car’s outstanding luxury. For a quick and sporty steering response, the XLR uses the magnetically controlled, speed-sensitive Magnasteer system to maximize the car’s handling. At highway speeds with the top up, the XLR’s cabin is surprisingly quiet, but with the top down, wind buffeting is noticeable and could have easily been fixed with a pop-up windscreen like most of its competitors have.

Following the fates of the Eldorado and the Allanté, Cadillac recently announced that the XLR will be discontinued after the 2009 model year.