2009 Cadillac XLR-V

NEWS & REVIEWS You can probably count the number of Caddy XLR-Vs that have found buyers this year on the fingers of two hands. But for those who’ve signed-away $100-grand on this supercharged rocketship, the bonus is that they can be pretty sure they’ll never see another in the Trader Vic’s valet park line. It’s still a mighty fine high-performance GT. It has power to spare—443-hp to be precise—from its blown 4.4-liter V-8. That gives 0-to-60 sprinting in just 4.6 seconds. And sharing its super stiff hydroformed chassis with the Corvette means that it corners quite a bit better than your Uncle Waldo’s old vinyl roofed DeVille. It’s immensely practical too, with its folding hardtop roof dropping into the trunk at the touch of a button. A mild interior makeover for ’09 increases the quality look and feel of the cabin, but it’s still not rich and luxurious enough to justify its sky high sticker. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Cadillac XLR

NEWS & REVIEWS Minor changes refresh the XLR line-up for 2009. Some of the more notable changes are the addition of the hood bulge, normally reserved for the XLR-V, to the regular edition, different front and rear fascia as well as the new Adaptive Forward Lighting- which swivels the headlamps in conjunction with steering inputs. by: Benjamin Greene Cadillac: 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. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Hennessey V800

NEWS & REVIEWS ----------V700 - 700 hp---------- Power: 700 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 701 lb-ft torque @ 3,400 rpm Performance: 0-60 mph: 3.1 sec. * , 1/4 Mile: 10.9 @ 129 mph *, Top Speed: 211 mph (with 6-speed transmission) *with optional 20 inch HRE wheel upgrade & 305/45-20 Nitto drag radial tires. Includes: 4 inch Cold Air Induction System, Supercharger Pulley & Snout Upgrade, Engine Management Software Upgrade, Long Tube 1 7/8 inch Stainless Steel Headers, 3 inch Stainless Mid Pipes, High Flow Catalytic Converters, Intercooler Heat Exchanger System Upgrade , V700 Camshaft Upgrade, V700 High Flow Cylinder Heads, Hennessey Embroidered Head Rests, Serial Numbered Dash Plaque, Serial Numbered Plaque in Engine Compartment ----------V800 (Twin Turbo Upgrade) - 800 HP---------- Power: 800 hp @ 6,200 rpm @ 15 psi, 780 lb-ft torque @ 4,400 rpm Includes: Custom Twin Turbo System, Twin Ball Bearing Turbos, External Wastegates, Blow-Off Valves, Fuel System Upgrade, Upgraded Injectors, Engine Management Software Upgrade, Corsa Stainless Steel Catback Exhaust System, 3 inch Stainless Mid Pipes, 3 inch Stainless X-Pipe, High Flow Cylinder Heads, Camshaft Upgrade PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

NEWS & REVIEWS If you’re a true, dyed-in-the-wool ‘petrolhead’, this one number will send a jolt of adrenaline coursing through your veins: 7:59:32. That’s the time, in minutes and seconds, it took for Cadillac’s awesome new CTS-V to complete a lap of the Nürburgring legendary Nordschleife track in Germany. That makes it the fastest production sedan ever around the famed track—and the first sedan to lap in under eight minutes. Eat your heart out, BMW M5. It’s hardly surprising when you look at the supercharged 6.2-liter GM smallblock V-8 lurking under the hood. It serves up a massive 556 hp and 551 lb.-ft. of torque. That’ll launch it from rest to 60 mph in a feisty 3.9 seconds, through the quarter-mile in 12-dead at 118 mph and on to a top speed of 191 mph. That’s unreal. Take your pick of a six-speed Tremec manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic, but note that the auto-equipped V is quicker. Make no mistake, this new Caddy is going to be the rock star sports sedan of 2009. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Cadillac XLR-V

NEWS & REVIEWS Subtlety of styling is all well and good on a $12-grand Hyundai. But when you’re spending close to $100 large on a supercharged rocket ship, it’s nice for folks to recognize it. Case in point: Cadillac’s razoredged XLR-V. Visually, apart from a flashy mesh grille— something you might see in a Pep Boys catalog for $69.99—there’s not too much to distinguish it from the $20,000-cheaper non-V XLR. How about a different-style alloy wheel, or a color-contrast folding hardtop, or a more interesting front fascia, rather than the current version that looks like a swollen bottom lip? Certainly the car has the muscle to justify its sticker. With 443 bhp and enough torque to uproot tree stumps, the V rockets to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and will cruise all day at 150. And with its super-stiff hydro-formed chassis, shared with the latest ’Vette, this Caddy carves curves like it’s on rails. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Cadillac XLR ROADSTER

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2008 Cadillac STS-V

NEWS & REVIEWS If you like your power smoother than oil-covered Teflon, then the supercharged 4.4-liter 32-valve Northstar V-8, powering Cadillac’s STS-V could be your cup of Darjeeling. It packs a whopping 469 bhp and 439 lb-ft of torque, yet its delivery is creamier than Beyoncé in ballad mode. Whooosh, and zero-to-60 mph is dispensed with in a mere 4.9 seconds. Whaaar, and with just a muted soupçon of supercharger whine, you’re hitting the hundred mark in just 11.3 seconds. Through the twisties, it also has all the poise and balance of a sport-sprung 5-Series Bimmer, without the bone-jarring ride. It certainly looks the part too, with its glittery mesh grille, deep front spoiler, and power-bulged composite hood. And those mega 14-inch Brembos at each corner have the ability to stop time. But it needs 20-inch rims to look really cool. Nice cabin, too, with more suede than Elvis’s footwear and well-bolstered front seats. Not cheap at $76,555. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Cadillac STS

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2008 Cadillac SRX Crossover

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2008 Cadillac ESCALADE

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