[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by CmicasatheGreat

I agree... this car is AWESOME... but simply has a weak engine compared to the competition. When it came out the XLR with the 320HP NS was competitive, but not by much... now it is simply BEAT by the SL, which ranges from 382HP to 604HP... ENGINE power than GM has but will not give to the Cadillac brand except for the Vseries CTS. Bottom line is that the XLR should have the same amount of power as the Vseries (443HP or more) in the regular version and at least the same amount of power as the CTS-V in the XLR-V and STS-V. It simply makes no sense that they will not give these cars the LS engine range when the LS range is as smooth as any Benz/BMW engine.

Some one like Mcsgero will say that the LS engine is not smooth or quiet enuff.... but I am will to bet that they have only driven the LS in Trucks or Vettes... which all have larger or more aggressive exhausts. Like I've said time and time again like a BROKEN RECORD... drive a G8 GT and U will see a SMOOTH, QUIET, POWERFUL LS configuration that is worthy of Cadillac let alone a Pontiac

Hi CmicasatheGreat,

I will disagree with you on power regarding the XLR and XLR-V compared to Mercedes-Benz's SL550 and SL55 AMG and Jaguar's XK and XK Supercharged which are valid comparables in my view. It simply comes down to overall design and from a power to weight ratio perspective, the XLR and XLR-V, both are competitive today as is. Take for example the SL550, it weighs in at 400-600 pounds higher than Cadillac's XLR for 2009. Not only does the Cadillac feel better to drive, its Northstar engine is better engineered to use regular fuel versus premium, which is required for the Mercedes-Benz's SL55O and Jaguar XK convertible. And Cadillac’s XLR remains the most ridged and lightest chassis when directly compared with a similar optioned Mercedes-Benz's SL550 and Jaguar's XK convertible.

By the way, as part of the Cadillac XLR event I attended in Bowling Green KY this week, Cadillac made available the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for our review. The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the ultimate expression in a high performance sports car from GM. The GM Cadillac XLR/XLR-V and Chevrolet Corvette designers are quick to point out the design criteria for Cadillac's XLR/XLR-V and Chevrolet's Corvette, Z06 and ZR1 are in fact different. And driving these two sports cars from Cadillac and Chevrolet will quickly show their pedigree. They both are two seat sports cars but clearly design with different buyers in mind.

I reviewed the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the test driver provided a ride to a very limited number of truly interested performance addicts. All I can say is from a performance viewpoint, I have not experienced any sports car with the advance technology and blow out performance as with Chevrolet's Corvette ZR1.

If I were in the market for two sports cars, ultra luxury performance and ultra performance, I would purchase the Cadillac XLR-V for the ultimate performance luxury roadster and Chevrolet's Corvette ZR1 for the ultimate performance sports car.

However, the bottom line is this, it is the luxury buyer in this segment that determines the success of a luxury performance roadster and Cadillac’s XLR is not exempt. My opinion remains that Cadillac’s XLR is unknown in this sequent and if made available through marketing and advertising, it would gain in sales. That said, after experiencing the 2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum and XLR-V, I contacted my Cadillac dealership and the 2009 Cadillac XLR-V is on order for replacement of my 2005 Cadillac XLR.

If I had not directly compared Mercedes-Benz’s SL550, SL55 AMG, Jaguar’s XK and XK Supercharged to Cadillac’s XLR/XLR-V I might have a different opinion. But for today luxury brand model offerings, Cadillac’s XLR is one the very best the world has to offer.


JLM