An Evolutionary Model: The 2009 XLR Revisited

Several things can be said about the Cadillac XLR series: including the polarizing reactions most buyers have towards their car. The eight-cylinder engine is at the heart of the strong emotions, it is powerful for its class and delivers a large amount of torque.

Standard equipment in the XLR for 2008 and 2009 includes the 4.6 liter engine by General Motors, weighing in at 8 cylinders and thirty two valves. A 6-speed Automatic Transmission puts the power of the Northstar engine to the pavement. This is a long-standing favorite for buyers in the Convertible arena.

The fuel system for the 2009 XLR is a traditional SFI, running on gasoline fuel. The fuel is controlled by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The capacity of the fuel tank is 12 gallons.

Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The XLR comes equipped with power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. The car uses leaf front springs and leaf in the rear.

of wheelbase allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers. It sits inches off the ground. It seats a standard five passengers, with 2 doors. The dimensions of the XLR Platinum are inches long by inches wide.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was an industry-average price when new, with a dealer invoice cost of an industry-average price. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 2-door Convertible.

The 2009 XLR gets 25 miles/gallon on the highway and only 17 in the city. This is subpar for a convertible car.

The vehicle is available in several colors.

The standard warranty period for the XLR is 48 months, or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the convertible market.

There are several reasons why the Cadillac XLR Platinum sold well in 2009. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Cadillac, specifically a XLR.