2009 Cadillac XLR review

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As auto identities go, the XLR is fresh, strong and assertive.

When designing the XLR roadster, Cadillac clearly had some rather bold intentions in mind. Built on the Corvette platform, there could have been every chance that the XLR might have turned out to be a watered-down, lukewarm version of the ‘vette, with none of the muscle car appeal and all-on-its-own-identity of the legendary sportscar.

Instead, Cadillac have taken the Corvette platform in an entirely different direction, indeed making it all their own with strong brand and design identities from every angle – there is no mistaking the Cadillac XLR.

There is the classic roadster style to enjoy, but delivered in an entirely modern package that fits well into the cutting-edge feel of 2009, and beyond. The wide and clean front end, completely dominated by that stately chrome and mesh front grille and inverted ‘stretched square’ headlights, can only be described as showing-off powerful intentions.

2009 Cadillac XLR-VThe vast and bulging bonnet flows back into the steeply raked windscreen, and apart from those heavily flared wheel arches, the rest of the car is sharp, slab-sided and solid looking. This is the ultra-modern Cadillac design of today.

In keeping with the current technological fashions, the XLR features a hard, retractable roof, which disappears into the trunk in around 30-seconds should the sun pop out. Unfortunately, over half of your trunk luggage capacity will also disappear in that quick 30-seconds; these fashionable metallic roofs taking up much more space and weight than the old fabric equivalent.

But, practicality is not an important byword of open-top motoring; speed, style and seduction all are, and the XLR most certainly delivers on these counts. The interior has that opulent, if slightly tacky, American look and feel to it, but rest assured, the XLR is fully loaded with luxury leather, polished wood and electric gizmos, and will cruise you along with the absolute minimum of fuss and stress. Put your foot down, however, and there is still some fast fun to be had.

2009 Cadillac XLR-V Powered by a 4.6-litre, V8 petrol engine, the XLR has the power and torque it needs for things to get interesting; 320hp and 459Nm of torque, to be precise. That true American roadster experience can only truly be enjoyed when it’s powered by a large capacity V8, and there is enough grunt and speed pulsing through the five-speed automatic gearbox to ruffle even the most stubborn of hairstyles.

Coupled with Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control, which actively adjusts the suspension damping rate to suit the road surface and driving style, with the StabiliTrak stability system gathering the car up should you attack a bend with a little too much gusto, ensures the XLR is a fun, but not threatening car to drive everyday.

2009 Cadillac XLR-V Cadillac have successfully pulled-off a roadster that is both tough and go getting, but also suave and sophisticated, depending on the mood that takes you.

SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2009-cadillac-xlr-v/