The Cadillac XLR Roadster is a Gentleman's Corvette and a Definite Future Collectible

It's no secret that I love Cadillacs, which predisposes me to liking the XLR - a 2 seat roadster utilizing Cadillac's kind of silly "art and science" design philosophy. I believe it wears the angles and creases better than any other car in their lineup, and one can readily see the inspiration drawn from a Stealth Fighter. The lines are really like nothing else out there, and it sits lower, longer, and wider than its competition at the time.

The folding hard top is produced by a company that was a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and while not the quickest operation out there, it is a wonder to watch operate, and fold neatly in to the trunk.

Mechanically, GM eschewed the LS motor that could have come with the Corvette underpinnings, opting instead for Cadillac's signature Northstar V8, though pumped up from sedan spec to 320HP. It uses the Magnetic Ride Control pioneered by Delphi (and also used by Ferrari), which insures a stable and comfortable ride under almost any conditions.

The interior surfaces have all been upgraded to meet the requirements of a car in this price category, and plastic is out, replaced by leather, wood and metal trim.

All in all, I love it. It looks great, drives very well, and has all the ingredients to become a collectible car in the very near future. This one is for sale at Auto Europa Naples, and can be seen at www.AENaples.com.

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