2009 Cadillac XLR-V spied with no disguise

[hidden_bull]

Earlier this week we brought you totally uncamouflaged photos of the refreshed Cadillac XLR. Now we have photos of the hot rod: XLR-V model that has shed all of its coverings.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/cadillac-xlr-v-future.html

[BigAls87Z28]

Did the XLR-V have the two-mode exhaust last time? I hope it gets it this time.
Maybe a power boost?
It looks like a new XLR with a cheezy aftermarket grill....ugh. Why cant GM rock at doing a 25k Malibu, a 60k CTS-V, but a 100k car...they just cant do it.

[red_rider]

I think it looks really good. I just hope they upped the ante on the interior a bit, aka CTS + some more. Also, are they still using northstar's or going to ls#?

[racy]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Did the XLR-V have the two-mode exhaust last time? I hope it gets it this time.
Maybe a power boost?
It looks like a new XLR with a cheezy aftermarket grill....ugh. Why cant GM rock at doing a 25k Malibu, a 60k CTS-V, but a 100k car...they just cant do it.

The old XLR did not have two mode exhausts, ala Z06.

I am with you on the looks of this one. Here's exactly what this reminds me of: It looks like a C6 with a trashy ricer body kit. I don't like it, and I seriously wonder how this one made it out of the gates - unless they plan on ditching the model all together.

Cadillac really needs to compete with Bimmer, Mercedes and The Asians in the two-seater performance luxury department....and this car doesn't do it by the looks alone. I reserve the right to change my opinion based on its performance figures. A bad body can generally make up for good performance, wink, wink.

[Ultra Magnus]

Unless it has the LS9 and fender vent delete, whats the point of this again?

[GM lover]

I hate to say it but the old XLR looked better.

[megeebee]

Spare me the fender "vents". They're about as functional as a refrigerator in the arctic. They look to be exactly what they are. An afterthought. I am very disappointed. I can't imagine these decorative glue-ons are going to help sell more of the cars at all.

[tgagneguam]

One of the promises that I think Welburn and his team bring to GM is great design, which in part reflects clean, purposeful lines, like the original base XLR brought to market and much like the gorgeous CTS Coupe should bring next fall. This MCE of the XLR-V's design does little in that tradition, and that disappoints me. MCE should be just that, enhancements. The changes to this XLR-V scream gauche, they scream white trash, and they have no place on such a high-placed automobile.

Welburn et al., you are much more capable than this. There's nothing wrong with the XLR's present design, and it should have remained unadulterated until a cohesively-designed NG XLR was to be brought to market. That is what you are capable of.

[DarkKnight67]

Well, according to a friend with inside info., what you see here is probably what you get. They are eliminating the base XLR and just going with two versions - Platinum and V-series. There are some interior changes, but nothing specific.

[psece]

I am a little underwhelmed. It is just a MCE but I was hoping for a little inclusion from the CTS's style. Well, at least there is still hope of it having the ZR1 engine.....

[63GrandSport001]

This car probably needs a complete redo however probably wont get it until the C7 Corvette comes out.

[2648562]

I used to love the NASCAR style grill. I thought it was totally unique and really cool. Unfortunately, it's getting a little old. And a fancy grill all by itself is not enough anymore--especially at that price. The ridiculous new foglight surround is even more out of place with that grill. Why in the hell manufacturers think the fake brake duct look is cool is beyond me. They hurt performance and I can't wait to see that look played out. The side vents look more stunning then ever--just kidding. This refresh will probably cost sales, but...

[Joevette]

that side vent totally sucks, you'd have to get it in silver to not notice it and it doesn't look like they've changed anything else about it the outside of the car besides maybe the headlights and exhaust

[HoosierRon]

Have you ever seen those decals people put on their cars that are supposed to look like bullet holes? That is about what the side vents look like.

And the fog light area looks like it was fabricated by an HVAC/sheet metal contractor.

[LoneWolf]

Underwhelmed doesn't begin to describe it. If I didn't already like the XLR, I'd be downright livid; it looks like little more than a grille treatment.