NOTKTS

What do people think of the new XLR-V? Do you think that it will be able to steal sales from the SL55? Will it be able to keep up with the SL55? How do you think it looks in comparison to the SL55? Is it worth a 100K? Just curious because my buddy's Caddillac dealer said something about it to him.
Heres the Specs....

2006 XLR-V: Ultra-Luxury, Under-5 Performance
The 2006 Cadillac XLR-V – the newest addition to the luxury nameplate’s growing family of high-performance V-Series vehicles – establishes a new benchmark for the ultra-luxury class of high-performance roadsters in power, performance and personal amenities.

Like its mainstream XLR sibling, the XLR-V combines distinctively bold styling with contemporary luxury, ingenious technologies, rear-wheel-drive performance, and near 50/50 weight distribution for enhanced balance and vehicle dynamics – yet it does so on an entirely different level:

Equipped with a supercharged Northstar engine and rear-mounted six-speed automatic transmission, the high-performance luxury roadster effectively delivers 0-to-60 performance in under 5 seconds
Exterior and interior appointments clearly identify the two-seater as a V-Series family member, including application of a signature wire-mesh grille, larger 19-inch wheels at all four corners, and ebony wood and aluminum accents throughout the interior
Chassis refinements enable surefootedness on the street or the track and include larger brakes, stabilizer bars, wheels and tires, a performance-calibrated Magnetic Ride Control (MR) system
An Adaptive Forward Lighting system, a first-time application on a Cadillac, which automatically adjusts headlamp direction up to 15-degrees for improved night driving vision
Like XLR, the XLR-V will be built at GM’s state-of-the-art, award-winning Bowling Green assembly center.

XLR-V's Supercharged Northstar Engine

At the heart of the XLR-V is the new, 4.4-liter version of the Northstar engine outfitted with a positive displacement intercooled supercharger. The dual overhead cam (DOHC) V-8 engine delivers the highest horsepower rating of any Cadillac engine to date.

Called the Northstar V-8 SC (supercharged), the engine produces 440 horsepower (328 kW) at 6400 rpm and 425 lb-ft (576 Nm) torque at 3600 rpm (power and torque figures estimated) – and the engine’s power is underscored by its ability to deliver 90 percent of its peak torque between 2200 and 6000 rpm.

The aggressive torque curve enabled by the choice of a supercharged engine gives the XLR-V acceleration capable of placing it firmly in the under-5-second-club for 0-to-60 time – a signature capability of V-Series vehicles.

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

The Northstar V-8 SC is mated to the all-new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission – the first use of General Motors’ new six-speed automatic in a rear-mounted configuration.

The 6L80 – the only transmission offered on the XLR-V – is one of the most technologically advanced automatic transmissions in the industry, using clutch-to-clutch operation and an advanced integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts. In addition, a wide 6.04:1 overall ratio spread enhances performance and fuel economy.

Performance-Tuned Chassis Systems

Chassis modifications found on the XLR-V when compared to its mainstream sibling include larger brakes; recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control (MR); larger front stabilizer bar and the addition of a rear stabilizer bar; stiffer rear lower control arm bushings; larger wheels and tires; a power steering fluid cooler; and a higher-capacity fuel pump.

The most noticeable change is in the braking system to assure strong stopping power and smooth, confident brake operation, coinciding with the increased power and handling capabilities of the XLR-V.

To achieve this, chassis engineers turned to J55 brakes, essentially the same application used in the Z51 Corvette with larger cross-drilled rotors and high-performance brake lining. Front rotors are 13.4-inches (340.4 mm) in diameter; rear rotors are 13.0-inches (330.2 mm). The thickness of the rotor cheeks on both the front and rear has been increased for added thermal capacity. The brake system incorporates dual-piston front calipers, and single-piston rear calipers.

Magnetic Ride Control on the XLR-V has been recalibrated to account for the enhanced handling characteristics the roadster’s surpercharged performance demands. The system seeks to keep the body on an even plane at all times, giving drivers a comfortable ride by dramatically reducing disturbances to the vehicle body.

Wheels and tires have been increased in size for enhanced sure-footedness, to 235/45 R19 on the front and 255/40 R19 rear. The tires are Pirelli run flats.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Engine
Type: V8, Supercharged
Displacement cu in (cc): 267 (4371)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 440(328) / 6400 (factory estimate)
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 425(576) / 3600 (factory estimate)
Redline at RPM: 6700
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 235/45 R19 - 255/40 R19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 177.7 × 72.3 × 50.4
Weight lb (kg): 3804 (1726)
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: < 5
Price
MSRP (95-105,000)

Personally I don’t think that the 55's throne will be challenged, but Automobile mag seems to think it will be a worthy contender.

Dvinn

They will sell about 2 cars looking boring like that. That thing looks like it's already 6 years old before even into production and no way with only 440HP is going to compete with SL65 amg. Very few people will pay 100k for that snoozer.

NOTKTS

No I totally agree that it wouldnt compete with the 65... but the 55? To me it looks too futuristic.

355Spider

That piece of crap. Hahahahaha. They have only sold about 7 of them. I saw this 70 plus coupledriving one last weekend. Trying to live just a little before their time. That car was designed so long ago and took forever to come out. It was cool back in 98 when they thought it up. No one will buy a 75K corvette redo and definately not 100K.

Dvinn

I doubt it can compete with SL55 either, at least if I was going to buy a roadster I would take the SL55 over that old mans boat.

Bigdot

i think the handleing blows on that car, on the way to my friends house i saw one take a corner and it looked like a duffyboat trying to coarner and then he almost spun out but i think some kindd of ASR ETC helped him \

i think it looks neat. ive only seen older ppl drive em in newport tho....

mch

NOTKTS

I remeber waiting for the original XLR to come out when I was going to get rid of the R129 and get the XLR in 00'. But they just kept pushing the date back. If I remeber correctly it was suppose to have 400hp+ originaly.

Dave OH

Challenger to the Throne?? Did someone say PRETENDER to the Throne?

sprins

It's not bad for a Cadillac. And the comparison is logical (what else are they compare it to?). But my educated guess is the SL is the better car (at 150% of the price).

Doctodd33

Im not worried and neither should MB or you guys be. The "plain old" SL500 beats it overall. Cant wait to see the depreciation.

T

MBE55AMG

WTF is that piece of sheet metal? Looks like it only took them a couple of minutes to build that.

NOTKTS

Actually it took them 20 years to build it! :p

lorinserbenz

The only people I have seen driving them are Grandpas and Grandmas... 100K.??!! I would make more sense to buy a Z06 for 70k..

NOTKTS

Ya but then the Grandpas and Grandmas would now be crashing into Doctors Offices at 140 MPH instead of 4 MPH.. lol. But the new Z06 is something to be reckoned with, Id leave it up to the 65s to fight those battles...

LS6V

The XLR V won't list for $100K. The price should be around $88,000 loaded.
My guess is the XLR-V will outperform an SL55 on a road course due to it's weight advantage. At a drag stip, I'd pick the SL55...

They'll never equal the SL55's sales volume but it'll sell for a few reasons:

1. It's cheaper than an SL55.
2. For a person that want's an upscale, good looking, high performance convertible for less than 6 figures... the XLR-V is a good choice.
3. Some people (including myself) find the XLR to be a hot looking car.

Having said that, I wouldn't pay around $90 grand for it, simply because it isn't my kind of car. I'll lease a Porsche GT3 before any car in the 95-105K price range.

vraa

It looks ugly.

BenzoAMGpower

weaksauce... the SL55 has 516lb ft of torque, the XLR-V only has 425lb ft!!!

thewb

I have sl55 ...and the only thing that appeals to me from this caddy is one thing the power potential she has .... like mallet can build you a 750+hp twin turbo for 12k ..on a non v xlr ...which is pretty fun to drive ..and for 12k worth every penny .. but xlr v will probably have some nice tunner upgrade which will make it fly ..imagin it boosted and full exhaust ...and some other goodies. .might be really fun to drive then and it will be cheap to upgrade an american car over a mercedes any day on the week...but yes its a little weired looking i still prefer my 55 any day of the week...

jtc55

put the xlr-v next to sl55 and you'll see how butt-ugly the caddy will look. just boring straight lines and none of the beautiful lines the sl55 has. not even a contest IMO!

C43AMG

The body on that thing looks like a bad collection of 15 degree angles.

Stricks

No challenge at all. An attempt, but as usual, no follow through.

NOTKTS

I do agree that Mallet will probably make a sick package for the XLR-V with something like 700Hp. They make 600Hp CTS-Vs. And I think they were basing the price off the difference b/t the MSRP of a CTS and a CTS-V... So its just a est, but if its the same percentage it will be 90-100K.

Rhodeislander

That boxy robotic look needs to go. Might look nice next to an Avalanche, you know the ugliest truck on the planet....

SSpray

We had an XLR.
It is still GM interior.
We got rid of it.
…it was in the garage less than 1 month.

The XLR-V will be more fun, but still just a lot of GM interior.

MBH

100K for a Caddy?????
Who's going to pay that much for a Caddy? The GM folks are are on some serious drugs these days