2004 Cadillac XLR - A Future Collectable?
Remember the Pininfarina designed, Italian built Cadillac Allanté? Why didn't it succeed? Maybe it was because it inconveniently sat only two people. But wait a minute. Two seat roadsters had already started to make a comeback during the 1987 to 1993 roadster's tenure, that couldn't be the reason. It was beautifully styled, so that can't be the reason either. The first cause of failure was the Allanté's inability to ignite passion in traditional roadster enthusiasts, mostly due to a lethargic 200-hp V8 driven through the front wheels - very unsporting. Next it plagued owners with poor build quality. Finally, its reliability was suspect, including ABS brake problems, electrical system gremlins and a manually operated cloth convertible top that experienced inherent glitches. The second, and last, generation car was much improved with a 295-hp Northstar V8 and restyled interior, but unfortunately this was too little too late.
GM will want to make sure that its next generation Cadillac roadster hits the mark more decisively. By all accounts, initial specifications show that it's on target. First of all it shares its platform and much of its underpinnings with the next generation Corvette including the legendary sports car's control-arm, transverse-leaf-spring suspension and Magnetic Ride Control shock absorbers - albeit tuned to suit the refined Cadillac image. Still, this bodes well for the XLR's handling prowess. The wheelbase will be minimally longer, about 25 mm (1.0 in). Also, front wheel travel will be lengthened by 10.2 mm (0.4 in) while the rear gets 20.3 mm (0.8 in) more.
Clothing the chassis is Cadillac's biggest departure from its celebrated history since the passing of tail fins, a 0.31-Cd slick arrangement of composite body panels. In Corvette fashion the new XLR will feature induction-heat molded fiberglass, 0.75 mm (0.003 in) thicker than Chevy's sports car. That doesn't sound like much but the nominal increase in thickness should allow for a finer paint finish. That's all the better for highlighting the new cars gorgeous design, incorporating edgy CTS styling cues that are even more fitting on this sleek roadster.
Past Allanté owners needn't worry about battling with a manual soft top as the XLR features a much more user and weather friendly retractable hardtop. It should be better made than the previously fussy convertible as it's engineered by Germany based Car Top Systems, revered for its work on the Mercedes-Benz SLK and current SL mechanical masterpieces. When folded, it will take up 60% of the XLR's 340 L (12 cu ft) trunk.
The 405-hp Eaton supercharged Northstar V8 in the XLR's inspirational concept Evoq isn't expected, initially at least, but performance enthusiasts shouldn't be concerned. While the 4.6-L alloy-block will remain unaltered, the updated version of the Northstar V8 will include continuously variable valve timing, together with modifications to the inlet and exhaust systems and the engine control module, resulting in 315-hp and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. What's more, the more powerful engine will now drive the rear wheels. Don't expect the Corvette's 6-speed manual transaxle though, as the Cadillac is on an entirely different mission. The XLR's 5-speed automatic is basically a more robust version of the CTS unit, complete with its sequential-shifting manual mode and Performance Algorithm Shifting system for holding gears during sporting maneuvers. It will also offer the Corvette's Getrag limited-slip differential with a modified 2.93:1 ratio.
