Architecture and suspension
The story starts with the XLR's backbone, upon which the car's dynamic capabilities depend. Based on GM's new performance car architecture, this unique and patented structure comprises steel hydroformed perimeter frame rails, enclosed structural "tunnel," aluminum cockpit structure and balsa-cored composite floors. Providing rigidity without bulk, and with exceptional resistance to torsional and bending forces, this architecture is the basis for the XLR's outstanding ride and handling characteristics.
The suspension system makes the XLR a true luxury roadster with the handling qualities of a performance car. To this end, the design uses double wishbones at each corner, combined with transverse-mounted, composite leaf springs front and rear. The system is designed to maintain firm control over wheel motion, while delivering a composed and compliant ride quality. During normal driving, the chassis exhibits comfortable and confident handling characteristics; when pushed harder, the car remains stable and secure with outstanding road holding. The XLR achieves a maximum lateral G-force of more than 0.9. The XLR runs on Michelin ZP tires with advanced "run flat" technology that eliminates the need for a spare and provides outstanding overall tire performance.
See also:
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system. Read
this entire section before using the
system.
WARNING!
SBZA does not detect vehicles
rapidly approaching outside of the
side ...
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire
Take off the wheel cover or center cap, if the vehicle has one, to reach the
wheel bolts.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See If a Tire Goes Flat for more
information.
2. Turn the wheel ...
Time Shifting (Radio with CD/DVD and MEM)
The radio with MEM time shift feature can rewind 20 minutes of FM/AM
content. While listening to the radio, the content from the current station is
always being buffered.
Press to pause the radio ...