Some pics of the XLR without camo.
Warning: if you don't like vents, don't click on the link.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-cadillac-xlr-v-spy-shots/750507/

Uintah

My mother said "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!".

Having said that, I LOVE the exhaust!!!!!!!!:thumbs

I like it, I'm glad they didnt mess around with the headlights, I was kinda worried they would screw it up.
The new grill is nice too, looks like it is interchangeable.

The side vents are not my cup of tee, but I like the exhaust .

...and THIS is what we waited for?? Look...SAME old dash. I suppose that GM was not about to spend more than $100 on a car they sell no more than a few a month. The car will be gone by 2010. What a shame.

Like the hood, exhaust and fog lights. not to keen on the vents, they are :bs...:nono

well, in as much as they enjoyed talking with us last year to gain some imput from xlr owners, they must have left the meetings laughing and thinking we are idiots. I for one think the new spy pictures are not what we expected or wanted. oh well, now we can go to B/G and let them know why these cars arn't selling in any numbers. They've taken a smart looking car and chromed it up to look like crap. I personally don't think they could have done worse if they had tried. I was so hoping to see improvements in power, yes, more power, that's what everyone said they wanted, which would have swayed me into aquiring another, but that's not the case now. I'll just keep mine and enjoy it til something else comes along that strikes my fancy. (guess I should tell you how I really feel) Ha. Bill

I really like most of the changes...the side vents have got to go though. How can you not love an XLR??!!

Love the hood, love the tips ... Hate the vents. Well, the new car's will be easy to spot .... can't miss those puppies. :jester

RA

Here are some more 2009 XLR Spy Shots (http://www.thecarconnection.com/blog/?p=1173) that I found

:party

Maybe everyone who purchases an '09 will revert to the dental floss removal of the vents! I'd hate to be embarrassed every time I see one! :puke

Floyd

GM, are you reading these posts? What the hell did you ask us what we wanted and do just what you wanted to do. Shark Gills.................come on get serious.
This blue bunny will be there, if for no other reason to ask us what we wanted to see in future XLR's, and you didn't listen.BoboMaybe everyone who purchases an '09 will revert to the dental floss removal of the vents! I'd hate to be embarrassed every time I see one! :puke

Floyd

LOLOL - Cadillac must have gotten a deal on a closeout from J.C. Whitney for those shark fins

Just think......'09 XLR owners and beyond will be doing body mods to close up those Shark Gills to go "retro" to be smooth and sleek like us pre-09 owners. :thumbs

A whole new market is created; post-08 grill replacement, body (Shark Gill Plug) mod kits, bigger engines, etc. They mess it up and the owners fix it.

............and good 'ol J.C. Whitney will come out with some add-ons like roof fins :lol :glol

I also see that little square GM logo hasn't disappeared! :cry

Floyd

What a big disappointment! :cry They've diluted the gorgeous, edgy "beak" in front! That was central to the faceted beauty of the XLR. It seems the vents were borrowed from the Saturn Roadster! I also don't think they could have done worse if they were trying! Cadillac needs to learn that in order to make money, they have to spend money wisely and adequately with Model Change Enhancements--this is as bad as the '08 STS update--they simply refuse to learn from their mistakes. I guess it makes the first generation models the more desireable collectibles! Also, there should at least be new rims!

The vents are wretched, but they may look better if they were body colored. Maybe that is something that can be done after market to the 09 XLR. It looks like they may indent, rather than just be stick-ons. In that case, color matching would be a way to make them look less like an AutoZone add-on.

The vents are wretched, but they may look better if they were body colored. Maybe that is something that can be done after market to the 09 XLR. It looks like they may indent, rather than just be stick-ons. In that case, color matching would be a way to make them look less like an AutoZone add-on.

Good suggestion, but I doubt they've indented the fender, that would cost $$$$, so I'm sticking with the stick-on type; which shouldn't be very hard to remove.

Floyd

I like the hood, the grill, the foglamps and the exhaust. While I agree one of the prettiest parts of the car is the long, angular side profile.....however, I don't necessarily dislike the vents......the changes give the car a "meaner" look, which appeals to me.....I think if you added chrome 20" wheels to this car, it would be one mean mutha.

I can tell you this much being the Pres of the Rolls and Bentley foundation. Bentley listens and every yr has more power. Some of there models have over 600+ lbs of torque! Even at over 180K they cant meet the demand! They have a very limited car out now with a ton more horses and the price is over 215K and there all soLd out and not even made yet!
HEY CADILLAC PAY ATTENTION!!!!

The vents are not my cup of tea but does anyone know if they're functional for any reason. I could accept them if they have some purpose other than 'appearance'.

The vents are not my cup of tea but does anyone know if they're functional for any reason. I could accept them if they have some purpose other than 'appearance'.

Maybe to annoy us???? :glol

RA

Maybe it's an attempt to cool the console...?

Well, i guess they didn't like the idea of a lot of us :bs xlr owners putting on the corsa exhaust system. After all, it really helped to make the car exciting. No room now for that to happen. What's gonna happen to the npp exhaust on the V, and what happened to putting the corvette motor into the xlr? When corvette increased the power from 400 to 435 in 08, it became a gotta have car. People want power and will trade up for it. Are you listening cadillac? there's not much there to entice current owners to jump to it. just my .02.... Bill (ocool)

That's an out of the box idea...! :yesnod

SilverX

Maybe it's an attempt to cool the console...?

There is just a possibility that the vents on the side were put on by Cadillac to see if there would be any reaction to them, which there certainly is. It COULD be that they may not appear on the '09 in B.G. At least if Cadillac is looking at the Forum, then I'm sure they would be easily removed from the prototype before the unveiling - at least we all hope so.

I'm still willing to bet that Caddy is going to phase the XLR out in a couple of years and all of this "dress-up" stuff is to squeeze a few more years out of the same basic '04 design.

Hey Rick, I think the thing to do is for our caravan to show up at B./G sporting a roof fin on our cars. And maybe some big shark eyes, one on each side of the fender, and I know, we can draw a red mouth with white teeth in front of the wheel well, kinda like the world war 2 fighter plane. Then we can paint our being beat badges on the doors by other more powerful luxury cars. Oh well, just having fun. Bill (ocool)

Hey Rick, I think the thing to do is for our caravan to show up at B./G sporting a roof fin on our cars. And maybe some big shark eyes, one on each side of the fender, and I know, we can draw a red mouth with white teeth in front of the wheel well, kinda like the world war 2 fighter plane. Then we can paint our being beat badges on the doors by other more powerful luxury cars. Oh well, just having fun. Bill (ocool)


I hate to think this Bill, but what if, when they pull the sheet off the '09, it's already got all of that stuff. lolol

Yes, that's right Rick. The XLR is slated to be discontinued by 2010, 2011 the latest. My Cad' dealer, which used to sell a ton of them, also confirmed its demise. But GM could have at least re-done the dash, as Buick did after only 2 years with the Reatta. I'm afraid that the XLR is going to suffer the same fate.

I like it. I just wish they had done. I've the there is an all new car coming in 2013.

??????????????????????????????????????Huh?I like it. I just wish they had done. I've the there is an all new car coming in 2013.

Thats correct, All along the XLR had a SCHEDULED hiatius due to the engine powertrain changes. The Northstar can't be produced in it's current state past 12/10. All the federal changes to the powertrains are causing huge issues for automakers.

Last year at the Illinois/Wisconsin XLR/Allante get together 4/07 where Kurt Ghering and Mykie Bowling from Cadillac were my guests we were talking about the "Next Gen" XLR. That is slated as a new vehicle. Where the 09 is a mid-cycle (like the 07 SRX & 08 STS). Changes that were discussed at RII were thought of for the next gen. the 09 changes have been locked in for over 2 years.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thank you
Allen

Thats correct, All along the XLR had a SCHEDULED hiatius due to the engine powertrain changes. The Northstar can't be produced in it's current state past 12/10. All the federal changes to the powertrains are causing huge issues for automakers.

Last year at the Illinois/Wisconsin XLR/Allante get together 4/07 where Kurt Ghering and Mykie Bowling from Cadillac were my guests we were talking about the "Next Gen" XLR. That is slated as a new vehicle. Where the 09 is a mid-cycle (like the 07 SRX & 08 STS). Changes that were discussed at RII were thought of for the next gen. the 09 changes have been locked in for over 2 years.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thank you
Allen

What's correct???

Mr. X, it would be good if you included the comment you were referring to.

Thanks,
Floyd

Sorry Floyd,
Fat fingers!!

Goglobal stated:
I've (heard) the there is an all new car coming in 2013.

Sorry Floyd,
Fat fingers!!

Goglobal stated:
I've (heard) the there is an all new car coming in 2013.

Got it now. . .

Thanks,
Floyd

And we are going to Bowling Green for a funeral? They lied through there teeth last year at RII by telling us they had no plans of stopping production on the XLR, when all along the they where way ahead of our thinking.
Bobo

Got it now. . .

Thanks,
Floyd

I like it. I just wish they had done. I've the there is an all new car coming in 2013.

I think I must have misunderstood this post (which wasn't particularly hard to do). . .at first I thought it meant an all new XLR--now I'm thinking he meant a completely new car is coming! :crazy :eek

Actually, I don't know what to think!!

It's a very huge shame a memo-type post like this could have been posted by a Cadillac exec. It gives some indication of the mentality of GM/Cadillac--huge shame!!

It's no wonder foreign-made cars are doing so well in the USA!!!

Floyd

I think that goglobal, if he is an exec, should be reported to someone at GM. No wonder he liked the gills on the fender. It was probably his idea.
BoboI think I must have misunderstood this post (which wasn't particularly hard to do). . .at first I thought it meant an all new XLR--now I'm thinking he meant a completely new car is coming! :crazy :eek

Actually, I don't know what to think!!

It's a very huge shame a memo-type post like this could have been posted by a Cadillac exec. It gives some indication of the mentality of GM/Cadillac--huge shame!!

It's no wonder foreign-made cars are doing so well in the USA!!!

Floyd

Were any of you invited to the XLR/Allante get together in 4/07? Don't know about you, but this is the first I'm hearing about it.

Doris and I have owned three Allantes and two XLR's. You'd think someone would have said something about a combined get together.

Maybe the Forum was closed that day?? :rolleyes

(no invite here either) ....

[/URL]

This event was sponsored by the Chicagoland Chapter of the Allante Appreciation Group. Since I was very involved with the Allante from 87/93 they had asked me previously to be the guest speaker 2 years ago. To talk about the Allante and being honored as the Allantes top sales executive for all 7 years and how that has worked with XLR.

I was able to ask Kurt Ghering and Mykie Bowling to fly in to Chicago and we caravaned to Lake Geneva WI. with a group of Allantes and XLRs. There were forum members that attended the event. (yes like Bowling Green, tickets were issued)

Here is the thread that was posted a year ago for the event.
[URL="http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=1891&highlight=lake+geneva"]http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=1891&highlight=lake+geneva (http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=1891&highlight=lake+geneva)

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thanks
Allen

That must have been a fun sight to see .... Allante's and XLR's in a caravan! How many XLRs VS Allante's were in the caravan? Pictures, even now, would be great to see .... How many XLR's came in for the event? I was under the impression that Rendezvous was the first XLR owner's event. Do they do that event yearly? That's in an area that should really draw some Midwest interest ... right? :thumbs Especially in April when all of the X's are just rearin' to get out of their garages! How fun for you guys.

Yesterday when Lola was in the service line, an Allante came in for service. It was beautifully maintained. The owner and I talked about the XLR's hardtop storage (none) versus his Allante's hard top storage .... I told him how Ray had bought one of those stand up/roll-around type for his 560SL .... he said he had a MB too, and another hard top, old, I think he said Massarati (?) .... and was having a hardtop stand build to hold all 3 of his tops at once .... he said he was a "convertible" guy ...... I got that! :yesnod

Greetings,

In general I am not a fan of side vents. That said I have been very interested in seeing the 2009 XLR and I wanted minimal changes and to that level, I like what I have seen to date. However, I want to see this car in person, primarily because I am planning to replace my 2005 XLR.

I have performed extensive reviews of Mercedes-Benz's SL550, Jaguar's XK coupe and Astons Martin's Vantage coupe and Cadillac, XLR remains as my # 1 preference from a style designs perspective.

JLM

Greetings,

I have performed extensive reviews of Mercedes-Benz's SL550, Jaguar's XK coupe and Astons Martin's Vantage coupe and Cadillac, XLR remains as my # 1 preference from a style designs perspective.

JLM

JLM,
You have excellent taste in vehicles, It would be quite the sight to have one of each :reddevil and line those puppies up! This way you have some great choices to drive depending on your mood! :thumbs That Dark Cherry is quite the color! I can't wait to see it on the X! Mea

Kathy got home today from Bowling Green where she got to spend a couple of days at the plant. They are not taking the tour groups by the XLR line because they are building '09s. She couldn't even talk any of our friends into taking her back to the XLR line. I guess we will have to wait till RIII.

JP (silverX) retired last Friday from GM. Happy retirement JP!!! :thumbs

Kathy got home today from Bowling Green where she got to spend a couple of days at the plant. They are not taking the tour groups by the XLR line because they are building '09s. She couldn't even talk any of our friends into taking her back to the XLR line. I guess we will have to wait till RIII.

JP (silverX) retired last Friday from GM. Happy retirement JP!!! :thumbs

Bruce,

I wasn't aware they took regular tour groups to the XLR line, kinda just pointed in the general direction. Also, wouldn't that be the time to see them as they are being built??? Vettes are being built all the time and they show them.

Floyd

They include some of the XLR line during the regular public tours but they are not wanting people to see the '09s just yet.

Bruce

They include some of the XLR line during the regular public tours but they are not wanting people to see the '09s just yet.

Bruce

I certainly can understand that; I'm sure they don't want to scare away any potential buyers by allowing them to see the "vents" being glued on! :crazy



Floyd

Thank you Bruce. :cool

I'll see you at RIII.

SilverX (JP) :)



Kathy got home today from Bowling Green where she got to spend a couple of days at the plant. They are not taking the tour groups by the XLR line because they are building '09s. She couldn't even talk any of our friends into taking her back to the XLR line. I guess we will have to wait till RIII.

JP (silverX) retired last Friday from GM. Happy retirement JP!!! :thumbs

They are not taking the tour groups by the XLR line because they are building '09s.

Is that a pilot build or are they actually building them already?

They should be regular production XLRs.

Bruce:)

Thank you Bruce. :cool

I'll see you at RIII.

SilverX (JP) :)

Hey JP,

Congratulations on your retirement!! Hope to see you at RIII!!


Cubby558:cool

They should be regular production XLRs.

Bruce:)

Thanks! I'll be interested in seeing the cars in person (and also what the '08 production totals are).

08s are still being built at this time, these are early production 09s for further testing. These 09s are built alongside 08s. These will be saleable vehicles down the road with miles on them. They are not being built for dealers at this point, that wont start until June.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thanks
Allen

I can't find the 2007 model year production total. I seem to recall it was around 1700- is that correct?

I can't find the 2007 model year production total. I seem to recall it was around 1700- is that correct?

It was 1505. 1095 base, 410 V's.

Available at http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com/2007XLRStats.pdf

The plant builds 40 a week. Approximately the equivalent of 47 production weeks in a year. It should be a little above 1800 if the plant did not have additional downtime.

SilverX


I can't find the 2007 model year production total. I seem to recall it was around 1700- is that correct?

It was 1505. 1095 base, 410 V's.

Available at http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com/2007XLRStats.pdf

Thanks, homegameroom and SilverX. Initially, I couldn't find the .pdf on the plant website. :banghead

The last '08 figure I saw was around 1223 at eom March after 149 units were built that month- iirc. So the production is around the same this year- or maybe a bit less if the '09's are taking up some of the capacity.

Every year the plant builds Engineering units (future model year(s)), then Manufacturing validation units. Most of the Manufacturing Validation units end up in company service. The yearly volume is also affected by the selection of the date to start of the new model year.

SilverX


Thanks, homegameroom and SilverX. Initially, I couldn't find the .pdf on the plant website. :banghead

The last '08 figure I saw was around 1223 at eom March after 149 units were built that month- iirc. So the production is around the same this year- or maybe a bit less if the '09's are taking up some of the capacity.

GM, are you reading these posts? What the hell did you ask us what we wanted and do just what you wanted to do. Shark Gills.................come on get serious.
This blue bunny will be there, if for no other reason to ask us what we wanted to see in future XLR's, and you didn't listen.Bobo
You will be pleased to know that the side vents are the same ones used in the NEW SATURN!!!!

Okay - you got me. I went to the Saturn site and actually, theirs look better than the J.C. Whitney knock-offs that will be on the 09

I feel so much better now, knowing that. Heck, now I know why those so much in the know won't invest in one.

Every year the plant builds Engineering units (future model year(s)), then Manufacturing validation units. Most of the Manufacturing Validation units end up in company service. The yearly volume is also affected by the selection of the date to start of the new model year.



SilverX, thanks for the additional information.

The Saturn equivalents I saw appeared not to be stuck on the panels and at least one had the Euro side-marker light incorporated in the assembly.

I have yet to see an MCE (mid-cycle enhancement) that improved the design of a car, and the 2009 XLR is no exception. Usually, the original design is coherent, and well-exected, while MCE changes involve change for change's sake that clutter, dilute, distort, or , in some manner, damage, the original design.Our beloved XLR seems to have had this experience.
The 2009 XLR suffers from an outlandish, grotesque, garish, "low class", "afterthought" of a fender vent, "round peg in square hole" fog lights in phoney brake-cooling vents, unnecessary creases in the front bumper cover, a superfluous ( in the "Platinum "version) hood bulge, and tacky exhaust tips that look heavy.
It's a shame, but expected. The 2009 Mercerdes-Benz SL's MCE is , unbelieveably, even worse.

Usually, the original design is coherent, and well-exected, while MCE changes involve change for change's sake that clutter, dilute, distort, or , in some manner, damage, the original design.Our beloved XLR seems to have had this experience.
The 2009 XLR suffers from an outlandish, grotesque, garish, "low class", "afterthought" of a fender vent, "round peg in square hole" fog lights in phoney brake-cooling vents, unnecessary creases in the front bumper cover, a superfluous ( in the "Platinum "version) hood bulge, and tacky exhaust tips that look heavy.
It's a shame.
Very sadly I agree 100%, but all I can do is hope that this is a joke, because that is what it looks like! Mea :puke

Oooops Richaret,
You just got in my wheel house..............I have a platinum 06-V as you can see on the left.
The bulge you refer to had to be there for clearance for the super charger and that's where I put the "Supercharged" badge that was on the doors, and these tips sticking out from under the bumper in the back are a master piece and easy to clean inside and out and have baffles to open up and make the Caddy roar. What would you prefer, tin cans?
My .02
BoboI have yet to see an MCE (mid-cycle enhancement) that improved the design of a car, and the 2009 XLR is no exception. Usually, the original design is coherent, and well-exected, while MCE changes involve change for change's sake that clutter, dilute, distort, or , in some manner, damage, the original design.Our beloved XLR seems to have had this experience.
The 2009 XLR suffers from an outlandish, grotesque, garish, "low class", "afterthought" of a fender vent, "round peg in square hole" fog lights in phoney brake-cooling vents, unnecessary creases in the front bumper cover, a superfluous ( in the "Platinum "version) hood bulge, and tacky exhaust tips that look heavy.
It's a shame, but expected. The 2009 Mercerdes-Benz SL's MCE is , unbelieveably, even worse.

I have yet to see an MCE (mid-cycle enhancement) that improved the design of a car, and the 2009 XLR is no exception. Usually, the original design is coherent, and well-exected, while MCE changes involve change for change's sake that clutter, dilute, distort, or , in some manner, damage, the original design.Our beloved XLR seems to have had this experience.
The 2009 XLR suffers from an outlandish, grotesque, garish, "low class", "afterthought" of a fender vent, "round peg in square hole" fog lights in phoney brake-cooling vents, unnecessary creases in the front bumper cover, a superfluous ( in the "Platinum "version) hood bulge, and tacky exhaust tips that look heavy.
It's a shame, but expected. The 2009 Mercerdes-Benz SL's MCE is , unbelieveably, even worse.

The MCE on both the SRX and STS were very nice. Especially the interiors.

Bruce :)

I agree with Bruce that the 2007 SRX interior update is a significant improvement. I do not care for the exterior styling changes to the 2008 STS, althought the 3.6 DI engine makes it a better car. Sadly, the STS did not get any of the Chinese SLS' interior enhancements. It needed those more than the silly fender vents, or the "chromier" grill.
I am aware that the XLR V hood profile is necessitated by the supercharged engine, and that is why I called it superfluous only on the 2009 normally- aspirated Northstar-powered Platinum edition
I was referring to the new exhaust tips on the 2009 Platinum edition. To me, they look like industrial vents for an HVAC system, not automotive exhaust tips. I do think they are heavy, and unattractive.

Bob Charet

:glol My bad, guess I was to tired to read it correctly, but hey, that's just the just the second time a was wrong, after thinking I was wrong on another occasion.:glol I agree with Bruce that the 2007 SRX interior update is a significant improvement. I do not care for the exterior styling changes to the 2008 STS, althought the 3.6 DI engine makes it a better car. Sadly, the STS did not get any of the Chinese SLS' interior enhancements. It needed those more than the silly fender vents, or the "chromier" grill.
I am aware that the XLR V hood profile is necessitated by the supercharged engine, and that is why I called it superfluous only on the 2009 normally- aspirated Northstar-powered Platinum edition
I was referring to the new exhaust tips on the 2009 Platinum edition. To me, they look like industrial vents for an HVAC system, not automotive exhaust tips. I do think they are heavy, and unattractive.

Bob Charet

Well I hate to brig it up BUT......the new Chevu Cobaly has a better interior than what we are facing in 2009. If you are needing some proof just look at the advertisements.

I think you've been on the back porch nipping to many Mint Juleps or move your fingers to the proper home key spot. Chevu Cobaly.........of course you mean Chevy Cobalt?
BoboWell I hate to brig it up BUT......the new Chevu Cobaly has a better interior than what we are facing in 2009. If you are needing some proof just look at the advertisements.