Cadillac Debuts The 2009 XLR Roadster

Since its inception in 2004, Cadillac's XLR has been a fresh face in the elite club of the world's finest luxury roadsters. Today Cadillac revealed the new 2009 edition of the XLR Roadster, featuring styling and model enhancements providing more dramatic design and technology.

Only the finest editions of Cadillac's retractable hardtop roadster will be offered in 2009: The luxurious XLR Platinum and the high-performance XLR-V. The XLR Platinum is equipped with a 320-horsepower (239 kW) 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine. The XLR-V, part of Cadillac's V-Series of high-performance models, is powered with a 443-horsepower (330 kW) 4.4L Supercharged Northstar V-8 engine.

The 2009 XLR includes a new front fascia, new rear fascia and new side fender vents. The revised design is inspired by the award-winning CTS sport sedan, delivering more detail and aggressiveness to Cadillac's roadster. The front fascia includes new fog lamps and specific upper and lower grilles for the Platinum and V-Series models. Also, both '09 models feature the distinctive hood with a raised center section that was previously exclusive to the V-Series.

"XLR has been a catalyst for the dramatic design and technology driving Cadillac's ongoing renaissance," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The enhanced 2009 model exemplifies the continued development of Cadillac's approach to design, performance and craftsmanship."

The ultra-luxury XLR Platinum model receives additional exterior identifiers, including a revised rear fascia with more pronounced new exhaust tips and a new 18-inch wheel design (painted wheel finish is standard; chrome is optional).

Inside, the '09 XLR lineup delivers more luxury and technology. Alcantara™ - a suede-like microfiber material - is used for the headliner material, in either Ebony or Cashmere color. Also new is hand-cut and sewn leather used on the upper instrument panel. This hand-stitched and wrapped leather lends tailored elegance to the cabin, representing Cadillac's new approach to modern and elegant interior craftsmanship.

The updated cabin includes new instrument cluster trim rings and graphics, new wood grain trims (Natural Olive Ash Burl for XLR Platinum and Black Olive Ash Burl for XLR-V) and new metal trims (Quartz for XLR Platinum and Bermuda for XLR-V.)

Advanced technology has always been a trademark of XLR, and that legacy continues in 2009. This includes Cadillac's acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control system and amenities such as Keyless Access with push-button start, DVD navigation and entertainment, heated and cooled seats, head-up display and heated steering wheel. XLR's advanced technologies also include Adaptive Forward Lighting that enables the headlamps to swivel in concert with vehicle steering, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

XLR is factory-equipped with OnStar 8.0 with Bluetooth capability. The next-generation OnStar 8.0 system (OnStar subscription is not required for Bluetooth) features enhanced hands-free voice commands, Turn by Turn navigation and Emap powered by MapQuest. This includes the industry-first Destination Download feature, in which directions can be downloaded from OnStar directly to the car's navigation system - eliminating the need to stop the car to manually enter a destination.

lewishamiltonpimp - 6/6/2008 11:05:20 AM

-2 Boost

'Since its inception in 2004, Cadillac's XLR has been a fresh face in the elite club of the world's finest luxury roadsters.'

Wow 009, I hope you lifted that directly from Cadillac because if you thought it up yourself, you need to pass the crack pipe bro!

This is an awful car and they will sell exactly 4 of them, like the old one.

bmwdrvr - 6/6/2008 11:31:28 AM

+9 Boost

the XLR isnt an awful car in 04 when it was released it beat many a car in its class many aspects including driving dynamics.....awful seller yes......awful car by no means

pushrod27 - 6/6/2008 1:02:41 PM

+4 Boost

It's not a bad car. It's basically a Corvette with a folding hardtop and a Northstar V8. GM made two mistakes with the XLR:

1. The price is too high. American cars usually play the value card, but the XLR costs $10-15k more than a Lexus SC430. it's just as expensive as an SL. For the price of an SL, you could get... an SL!

2. The styling is wayyyyy to angular. The edges are so sharp, i imagine i might cut myself if i touch the car. And some parts of the interior look too old fashioned and/or cheap for a car of this class (gear shifter, speedo and tach dials)

They don't sell many, but if you think about it as:

a.) a halo car for Cadillac
b.) part of Corvette production

then they probably don't have to.

bmwdrvr - 6/6/2008 1:23:54 PM

+2 Boost

with a name like pushrod I assumed you know more about GM cars one the Sl is alot more expensive the XLR and XLR-V there is about a 20-30,000 difference in price between the comparable SL models and the XLR the Sl starts around 96,000 the AMG version well over a 100 grand. Thats no where near the asking price of an XLR which for years has been a 75 grand car fully loaded with no options the 96,000 for the SL isnt loaded.....not to mention its normally the Japanese set that plays the Value card against the Europeans infiniti, acura, and Lexus for years have had value on their side Lexus not so much anymore because they have gained the prestige to price their cars with the Euro makes.......even with the price increase the XLR cant be anymore than 82-83 grand thats still
20-25,000 less than a comparable SL....

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/6/2008 12:28:15 PM

0 Boost

The car is a sells disaster. A classic example of a brand trying to overreach their market. Overpriced and noncompetitive, and a resell value only rivaled by the other market blunder, the VW Phaeton.

Minor cosmetic surgery wont help.

DROOPYSAKK - 6/6/2008 12:30:44 PM

+1 Boost

agreed, whoever would buy this car bought a vette.

LexSucks - 6/6/2008 8:41:47 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus SC430?

Oh no he didn't. LOL!!!

Look up the word "Dud" in the dictionary and you will find a picture of the Lexus SC430. The car created zero buzz.

85bmw745i - 6/10/2008 4:37:54 AM

+1 Boost

No the sc doesn't outperform this one bit! The SC doesn't really outperform anything in it's class cometo tthink of it. Cocaine is a helluva drug!

pushrod27 - 6/6/2008 1:15:49 PM

+3 Boost

I actually see a lot of these where i live. Always an old white guy driving.

Caraficionado - 6/6/2008 1:28:30 PM

+3 Boost

"...fresh face in the elite club of the world's finest luxury roadsters?"

Randry - 6/6/2008 1:35:22 PM

+3 Boost

I don't know why, but the styling always made me have a flashback to the old Dark Wing Duck cartoon. Maybe that's just me...

Hyundai - 6/6/2008 1:59:46 PM

+1 Boost

Because the Corvette isn't better looking?

They obviously didn't try here. The same people who work on the DTS worked on this car. They should have borrowed the CTS designers.

Threepoint1415926 - 6/6/2008 8:33:43 PM

+1 Boost

"I remember it was the first car you could unlock and drive with the key in your pocket." Keyless entry and start was actually originally designed by BOSH in 1998 and first available on the the face lifted Mercedes W220.

bmwdrvr - 6/7/2008 10:12:14 AM

+1 Boost

you mean the STS and DTS.......find another salesman fast if he doesnt know his own product line

LUXCAR32 - 6/6/2008 5:49:59 PM

+1 Boost

I thought the XLR was a pretty sweet car when it was first introduced, especially with those cool door handles. It definitely does not match up to the likes of an SL or other cars in its class, but still at the time the design was original and edgy. However the started looking old really fast. I'm kind of disappointed that this is just a mild refresh because with the way Cadillac is improving their quality and design right now (CTS), the next generation XLR is bound to be a pretty awesome car. at least I hope.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/6/2008 7:59:24 PM

+1 Boost

Finally, something fresh for this one. At least it's an improvement, but it still won't sell. It makes a statement but it isn't sexy.

eric452 - 6/6/2008 11:30:07 PM

+1 Boost

I'll take an SC or SL over this anyday
to me this is one of the most fuglist sport cars ever