Exterior

Cadillac says stealth fighters inspired the XLR, which serves as "a contemporary expression of Cadillac's heritage of landmark design and advanced technology." Linear lines display hints of the marque's history. The strong grille also suggests the past, but with a modern expression. The XLR's vertical headlights are part of Cadillac's current design philosophy.

The roadster's weight distribution is virtually 50/50, helped by the rear-mounted transmission. Cadillac says the XLR's steel hydroformed frame rails couple with an aluminum cockpit structure and balsa-cored composite flooring to provide "rigidity without bulk." Run-flat tires eliminate the need for a spare tire.

Built on a 105.7-inch wheelbase, the XLR is 177.7 inches long overall. Retracting the hardtop takes less than 30 seconds. Made of aluminum and magnesium, the top structure features composite exterior panels, a heated glass back window and glass rear-quarter windows.

    See also:

    Back-Up Lamps
    To replace one of these bulbs: 1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate . A. Push Pin B. Taillamp Cover 2. Pull on push pin (A) to release the taillamp cover (B). 3. Remove the taillamp cover ...

    StabiliTrak® System
    The vehicle has a traction control system that limits wheel spin and the StabiliTrak system that assists with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. Both systems turn ...

    Drive Systems
    All-Wheel Drive Vehicles with this feature always send engine power to all four wheels. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road conditions. When using a compact spare ti ...