If you haven't had a chance to read this article you should go to the grocery store and read it (assuming you don't want to buy the magazine)

The car is going to be terriffic and quick!!!
CARBON FIBER
620hp 600tq MONSTER.
Only 2,000 WILL BE BUILT.
BREMO BRAKES
CERAMIC DISCS


2009 Nissan GT-R
The Nissan will be an interesting $68k option:
3.2 second 0-60 times
other misc stuff

Not my preference but.....

2009 Xlr-V
So after absorbing all of this information you can join me while I consider what the 2009 XLR-V has in store for us.....

I LOVED seeing this car (ZR1) in person .... or is that in car? Anyway, the coolest feature is that the engine is exposed thru a "window" in the hood .....

We are wondering too why advances to the XLR are not being touted .... right now there are several cars on the market that have all of the same features as the X .... the voice recognition, the retractable top, push-button start, ACC (more HP)... so, besides body style/comfort, what will the X have to offer as an incentive for us to re-purchase .... less is not more.

Let me edit this a little ....

Could GM's thinking be: We have the CTS in place with styling, speed, comfort and advances .... and the we've got the hottest, and fastest ZR1 coming out - that's a big share of the market for 2 generations .... could the XLR become a Cadillac collector's edition?


RA

Also, I was under the impression that the ZR1 would be limited to 2,000 per year....??
.

Also, I was under the impression that the ZR1 would be limited to 2,000 per year....??

BoBo is right you are getting old peoples disease!!! You forgot what you just read. Yup 2,000 is what the article said.

Ahhh-- not nice :nono to remind an ol' woman of her failings .... :jester


I was just referring to the AutoWeek review ....

"The limited-edition ZR1 will be GM's highest horsepower car when it goes on sale late this year. The supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 will produce 620-plus hp. GM expects to build about 2,500 annually" ....


It seems we have two different sources ....

RA

Hey RA, aka, raggedy Ann:glol , My buddy around the corner just bought a new Z06 and has it speed sticked to 580hp and because he is 300 lbs lighter he swears he can kick the new ZR1's but. Who really knows yet............who cares,
BoboAhhh-- not nice :nono to remind an ol' woman of her failings .... :jester


I was just referring to the AutoWeek review ....

"The limited-edition ZR1 will be GM's highest horsepower car when it goes on sale late this year. The supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 will produce 620-plus hp. GM expects to build about 2,500 annually" ....


It seems we have two different sources ....

RA

I'm still likin' that car. :yesnod

RA

I'm really wondering if the new XLR will even have a retractable top. In my opinion, if they lose that feature, the coolness factor of the car is going to take a nose-dive. While I know that Cadillac needs to upgrade the XLR as other vehicles actually have more and better features (my wife's Lexus has bluetooth, better voice recognition, etc)

If I want a Vette, with more HP, then I'll buy one. It's not all about the HP though. I live in Atlanta, and on I-75, I can guarantee you that you can't go from 0 to 70 in under 6 seconds. In fact, if you can do it in under 6 minutes during rush hour, it would be a miracle.

I bought the XLR for the retractable top and as importantly, it has a better ride than the Vette.

The XLR is undoubtably a unique car. I hope that GM realizes why the owners bought the first generation XLR.

Okay now who wants to to stand on my soapbox?:rant

Okay, soapbox ready, set, GO!

I can't imagine GM getting rid of their Cadillac droptop roadster! If they make this with a fixed top........:puke

I can't imagine GM spending the $$$ to re-engineer our low-volume cars toooo drastically in the middle of the lifecycle of the design. Maybe in 2012 something really spiffy or dramatic may be done to the XLR line, but until then, we'll just have to be happy with what we have (unless modifications can be added EASILY to the existing hardware and wiring systems)

And aren't we all happy with them anyway? Sure, I'd love to have the bluetooth that my 05 STS had (along with a nicer heads-up and better NAV system, etc that it had), but I'm happy with the great performance (even in my base model) and the head-turning looks. :)

Well I'm not sure WHAT to expect from the XLR Boys ...except Mr. XLR has hinted that the 2009 will be a big deal!!

BoBo and others have indicated that from their sources we may see a bigger engine. I was hoping that the new and larger motor that got scrapped recently would find its way into the XLR....we'll see...MORE POWER!!!

Take a careful look at the writeup of the blower on the ZR-1. I am of the opinion that it will find it's way over to the 2009 XLR-V. If so.... increased horsepower/performance.

As most of us that did BGII know from the discussions and owner forums that the engineers are acutely aware of the interior/cabin shortcomings, the need to fix both the NAV and convert to bluetooth.

As far as the OnStar system goes....well I really am not a fan...

Like it or not the XLR and the XLR-V will be compared to the Jaguar, 500SL, and the Lexus "Bath Tub"

I don't think there should be any problem with upgrading what we already enjoy to be on a level playing field with any of these cars.

As Homegameroom pointed out as far as the top goes I agree totally. If the top goes then the appeal....at least to me will be diminished significantly!!!

In summary for those of use who may be considering a new XLR, the enhancements will have to provide significant incremental value to warrant the expense!!

ON ANOTHER POINT-- Some of us discussed this at BGII but I am still of the opinion that Corvette has now crossed over the line as far as being a car that should be sold/maintained at the local "Chevy Dealer"!!!

Owners who buy this car deserve a MUCH HIGHER level of service and support than can be had at a Chevy dealer. BIG TRAINING ISSUES!!!!

I think it should be moved over to the Caddy Dealer along side the XLR.


Regards

Take a careful look at the writeup of the blower on the ZR-1. I am of the opinion that it will find it's way over to the 2009 XLR-V. If so.... increased horsepower/performance.

Thats what it says! I got the new Car & Driver today and the next CTS-V will have a variant of the same engine named the LSA. A 550 horsepower and 550 Torque monster!

There is talk that the next generation XLR may all be V cars. After 2010 Cadillac's only V8 will be the 4.4 S/C. I don't think anyone wants a V6 in their XLR, even if it puts out good horsepower. At this time there isn't any talk of a V10 or V12, both were being discussed for Cadillac engines in the future. We'll just have to wait and see.

Bruce

There is talk that the next generation XLR may all be V cars. After 2010 Cadillac's only V8 will be the 4.4 S/C. I don't think anyone wants a V6 in their XLR, even if it puts out good horsepower. At this time there isn't any talk of a V10 or V12, both were being discussed for Cadillac engines in the future. We'll just have to wait and see.

Bruce
Thanks Bruce!!!

It would be nice to see the Cadillac XLR Brass put out some pre 2009 model hype like they did for the Corvette. It drums up some buyer interest.

Pat, Kurt ????

Thanks Bruce!!!

It would be nice to see the Cadillac XLR Brass put out some pre 2009 model hype like they did for the Corvette. It drums up some buyer interest.

Pat, Kurt ????

They will wait a little longer before doing that because it may kill some 2008 sales...
I have been waiting myself but I think it only come out at RIII for us and then to the dealers so after that.
Now Mr. XLR may now but he is not talking right now.. GM may have a big hammer over his head..

Blaise

IMHO: My guess is that the annual dealer meetings will be where they show what's going on in XLR Heaven. Yes we may see the car in BGIII but I would think that some pre realease information would be very helpful to current and future sales. Please remember that there are many that think the XLR will gl the way of the Avante...soon. Showing that it will be around is a great start to more sales.

"applause here" :jester You can't catch fish without bait.
Give it to us BG, it's not like your giving it to the general public. We all own XLR's and aren't about to buy an 08.
Three cheers for BOBO
IMHO: My guess is that the annual dealer meetings will be where they show what's going on in XLR Heaven. Yes we may see the car in BGIII but I would think that some pre realease information would be very helpful to current and future sales. Please remember that there are many that think the XLR will gl the way of the Avante...soon. Showing that it will be around is a great start to more sales.

I received this today .... it is an article from Bowling Green's Factory ... the Feb 1 issue of The Performance Press.....

If they have this planned for the 'Vette ..... Whaaaattt???? for the X???

Corvette Has a Future
By Rick Kranz, Automotive News & Autoweek, January ‘08Corvette has a future - but maybe a lighter, greener
one.
The Chevrolet Corvette will live on despite tougher
fuel economy rules. But the redesigned car, expected
in about 2012, could be lighter and smaller than today’s
Corvette.
And the V8 that powers the Corvette of the future may
be smaller than the one used today.
“I don’t think we’re going to design a 700-hp
Corvette,” Tom Wallace, vehicle line executive for the
Corvette, said at the Detroit auto show. “What’s going to
be more important is fuel economy, carbon footprint and
green. We have already paid a lot of attention to those
areas. Where we can pay more attention is pounds per
horsepower.”
Two engines are offered for the 2008 model year, a
430-hp 6.2-liter V8 and a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8. The 2009
ZR1 features a 620-plus hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8.
Wallace won’t talk about specifi cs of the nextgeneration
Corvette. But he said if the car’s weight
was dropped by 300 to 400 pounds and a 4.7-liter V-8
is offered with 150 fewer horsepower than the 2008
models, the “pounds per horsepower are the same.”Wallace said he envisions a Corvette that is “more fuel
effi cient ... even nimbler than it was before. But he said
no decision has been made about horsepower or engine
size.
The 2009 ZR1 will have a top speed over 200 mph.
Rather than trying to top those performance numbers,
Wallace said: “I think we need to
say, ‘We reached performance
levels that are pretty good.
Let’s maintain those
and improve fuel
economy.’ “

"applause here" :jester You can't catch fish without bait.
Give it to us BG, it's not like your giving it to the general public. We all own XLR's and aren't about to buy an 08.
Three cheers for BOBO
BOBO

You have gained tremendous insight and articulation since your "Meds" were changed!!!

I couldn't agree more......

Regards

I really wonder if they do that to the Corvette, if the XLR will even be in the GM line-up anymore. With less than 5,000 XLR units produced each year, is it worth it to GM to continue with the XLR?

Just this to add, smaller - lighter - less horsepower - sound suspiciously like a Miata! lol

I'm thinking if we want the last of the red hot American made engines, maybe we should stand in line for the ZR1 .... :skep

RA

But we did not buy the XLR to be the fastest car out there "Not that, that would be a bad thing".
We got the XLR for the Look, Ride, Bells & Whistles and it was a Cadillic.

GM will NEVER make the XLR faster then the Vett or it may kill the Vett off.

Now with said I would NOT want the XLR if it had a V6 "Mileage or no Mileage"
If I wanted that I could go buy a Honda.

This car has to have a V8. This car would look dumb with a shorter hood on it if they put a V6 in it.
And even dumber if they leave the hood long and but the small V6 in it.
Now Bruce may like it that way because then he could just clime in there and stand next to it to work on the motor.LOL

Blaise

No, not a fan of the V6. I'll take my Northstar any day. The 3.6 is no easier to work on than the Northstar and doesn't get any better fuel mileage. I think GM was wrong in cancelling the V8. It already does well on fuel and with things like direct injection it would have done even better. A Cadillac should have a V8 (atleast) and should be a world leader not follower.

Bruce :)

FWIW: Some of you guys weren't in the conversations at BGII BUT;

- The team confirmed that the XLR was GM's "Halo Car".

- It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

- They weren't in it to compete head to head with Mercedes, Jaguar or Lexus

- They are satisfied to make "A Few High Quality Cars".


Now I know things and times change but as least they have been consistant from the very top of GM (Chairman) down thru the XLR Engineering Team.

You sure make me smile.............some of this insight and articulation might have rubbed off on Floridians too.
Are you running for office and kissing babies?:glol :glol BOBO

You have gained tremendous insight and articulation since your "Meds" were changed!!!

I couldn't agree more......

Regards

FWIW: Some of you guys weren't in the conversations at BGII BUT;

- The team confirmed that the XLR was GM's "Halo Car".

- It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

- They weren't in it to compete head to head with Mercedes, Jaguar or Lexus

- They are satisfied to make "A Few High Quality Cars".


Now I know things and times change but as least they have been consistant from the very top of GM (Chairman) down thru the XLR Engineering Team.


They said the exact same thing about the Allante.

Corvette Has a Future
By Rick Kranz, Automotive News & Autoweek, January ‘08: Corvette has a future - but maybe a lighter, greener
one...

“But he said if the car’s weight
was dropped by 300 to 400 pounds and a 4.7-liter V-8
is offered with 150 fewer horsepower than the 2008
models, the “pounds per horsepower are the same.”

Taking away his maximum number, 400 pounds, from 3200 pounds (the coupe is 3217), leaves 2800. That's a weight reduction of 12.5%.

To maintain the power-to-weight ratio, they'd need about 376hp.

That's 54hp less, not 150hp less.

That GT-R is going to be one baaaaaad boy!!