2007 Cadillac XLR ReviewA Corvette in Luxury Clothing By:Todd Jensen, Autotropolis Editor
It is no surprise that the 2-door, 2-passenger Cadillac XLR shares underpinnings with the Chevrolet Corvette. Rather than the standard LS2 engine found in the Corvette, GM opted to fit the XLR with Cadillac’s 4.6-liter Northstar engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Northstar in the non-V Cadillac XLR produces a respectable 320 hp at 6,400 rpm with torque coming in at 310 lb-ft at 4,400 RPM. All of these horses motivate the XLR along with a zero-to-sixty time of 5.9 seconds, less a touch over a second lower than the supercharged XLR-V variant. Mileage is not terrible either, with an EPA rating of 17 city and 27 highway, it puts out more power per gallon than quite a few lesser vehicles. With an 18-gallon fuel tank, this gives the XLR a maximum range of 486 miles.
It is no surprise that the 2-door, 2-passenger Cadillac XLR shares underpinnings with the Chevrolet Corvette. Rather than the standard LS2 engine found in the Corvette, GM opted to fit the XLR with Cadillac’s 4.6-liter Northstar engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Northstar in the non-V Cadillac XLR produces a respectable 320 hp at 6,400 rpm with torque coming in at 310 lb-ft at 4,400 RPM. All of these horses motivate the XLR along with a zero-to-sixty time of 5.9 seconds, less a touch over a second lower than the supercharged XLR-V variant. Mileage is not terrible either, with an EPA rating of 17 city and 27 highway, it puts out more power per gallon than quite a few lesser vehicles. With an 18-gallon fuel tank, this gives the XLR a maximum range of 486 miles.
The Cadillac XLR was introduced in 2004 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but had been seen early as the Evoq concept car. The response to the Evoq lived up to the cars name and was evocative to say the least. Shortly after making the rounds, the Evoq-inspired XLR entered production in 2004 as a simmering blend of performance and luxury capped off with a power-retractable aluminum hardtop.
The MSRP of the single-trim Cadillac XLR is $76,920 for the 2007 model year.
The Cadillac XLR maintains the tradition of real-wheel drive performance, and to make sure there is plenty of surface area to slow the XLR down, Cadillac equipped the car with 12.8” brakes up front and 12” out back with cross-drilled rotors. A four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension carries the nearly 50/50 weight balance with ease, while adjustable, computer-controlled shock absorbers control the ride to the driver’s preferences. The Cadillac XLR also makes heavy use of computer-controlled systems in the stability control and steering areas. The XLR is equipped with GM’s StabiliTrak computer-controlled stability control system and the Magnasteer speed-sensitive steering mechanism. All of this rests on 18 x 8 wheels.
The car has a very aggressive stance, with proportions that make the car appear long, low, and ready to pounce at a moments notice. The Cadillac XLR comes in at 177.7 inches long, 72.3 inches wide, and 50.4 inches tall. This leaves room for fair headroom of 37.6 inches. For comparison purposes, a full-size Cadillac DTS sedan has 38.3 inches of headroom. The only dimension of the Cadillac XLR that is not impressive is the storage. Let us just say you will not be packing the car for more than a weekend jaunt. Storage space with the top down is a scant 4.4 cubic feet.
New 2009 Cadillac XLR Warranty
Basic
• 4 Years/50,000 Miles
Drivetrain
• 5 Years/100,000 Miles
Corrosion
• 6 Years/100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance
• 5 Years/100,000 Miles
New 2007 Cadillac XLR Specifications
Brakes
Brake Type
Pwr
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.8 x 1.3
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.0 x 1.0
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
11.6 max 4.4 min
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
150
Engine
Engine Order Code
LH2
Engine Type
Gas V8
Displacement
4.6L/279
Fuel System
SFI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
320 @ 6400
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
310 @ 4400
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in)
105.7
Length, Overall (in)
177.7
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72.3
Height, Overall (in)
50.4
Tread Width, Front (in)
62.2
Tread Width, Rear (in)
62.2
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD -
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD -
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity
2
Passenger Volume (ft³)
Front Head Room (in)
37.6
Front Leg Room (in)
42.6
Front Shoulder Room (in)
54.3
Front Hip Room (in)
53.0
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
15
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
24
Steering
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
17.2
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.9
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
39
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
Summary
Vehicle Name
XLR
Vehicle Name
XLR
Body Style
2 Door Conv
Suspension
Suspension Type - Front
Independent
Suspension Type - Rear
Independent
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
SLA double wishbone
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
SLA double wishbone
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
Tires
Front Tire Order Code
QMS
Rear Tire Order Code
QMS
Spare Tire Order Code
Front Tire Size
P235/50WR18
Rear Tire Size
P235/50WR18
Spare Tire Size
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
Transmission
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive
Trans Order Code
MX0
Trans Type
6
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD
Trans Description Cont. Again
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.03
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.36
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.53
Fourth Gear Rato (:1)
1.15
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.67
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.06
Clutch Size (in)
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.73
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Two-seater
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3647
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x - TBD -
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x - TBD -
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
MY 2009 Cadillac XLR
Automatic w/OD
Base MSRP*:
$85,360
Destination & Handling:
$840
MSRP Including selected accessories:
$86,200
True Internet Price
$86,200
$85,360
Destination & Handling:
$840
MSRP Including selected accessories:
$86,200
True Internet Price
$86,200