Going more than a decade without one, Cadillac added a two-passenger sports car to its lineup for 2004. Named the XLR, the retractable-hardtop coupe gave Cadillac a luxury roadster with a performance-oriented chassis and structure.

An all-new 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 went into the XLR. Cadillac promotes the "harmonious blend of technologies and materials meant to add pleasure, not complexity, to the driving experience." A long list of technical features includes a head-up display, radar-operated adaptive cruise control and General Motors' StabiliTrak electronic stability system.

Adaptive forward lighting, which improves nighttime illumination, is available on 2006 models. Wood treatment on the center console has been revised, and XM Satellite Radio with a hidden antenna is standard.

Magnetic Ride Control provides magnetic-fluid-based real-time damping. Keyless Access with push-button start permits true no-key operation. For safety's sake, the engine will not start unless the remote fob is in the car and the driver is depressing the brake pedal.

Cadillac is launching a high-performance XLR-V for 2006.
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