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:

    Lumbar Adjustment
    To adjust the lumbar support: Press and hold the front or rear of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support. Press and hold the top or bottom of the control to raise or lower the ...

    Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
    If available, the RVC displays a view of the area behind the vehicle on the navigation screen when the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse). Once shifted out of R (Reverse), the navigation screen w ...

    Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
    The tires and wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory to provide the longest tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be nec ...