2009 Cadillac XLR Is Officially Official

By Marty Padgett June 6th, 2008

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2009 Cadillac XLR

A few weeks ago, I showed you the clearest spy shots of the 2009 Cadillac XLR that could be had--and now that Cadillac's shown the final version, the predictions about a mild change for the two-seat hardtop roadster have proven true.

The XLR isn't winning any sales awards, but the midcycle refreshment could tweak interest in the Corvette-derived two-door. For one thing, a bunch of "base" versions have been broomed; for 2009, only an XLR, with or without Platinum Edition fittings, and the superhot XLR-V are being offered. They return with 320 horsepower and 443 horsepower, respectively.

On the 2009 XLR, Cadillac's fitted new front and rear bumpers and a set of side vents, linking it more closely with the CTS sedan. The XLR also gets the bumped-up hood of the XLR-V edition. Platinum versions get different 18-inch wheels and more pronounced exhaust tips, Cadillac says.

Inside, both XLR editions get Alcantara headliners, new instrument rings and woodgrain trim, as well as Bluetooth. OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation is standard, and the 2009 Cadillac XLR also is the first Destination Download vehicle--through MapQuest, you can send a destination to your XLR's navigation system.