Magnetic Ride Control
The XLR also is one of the world's first vehicles to be equipped with Magnetic Ride Control - electronically controlled, magnetic-fluid based real-time damping. The system uses four wheel-to-body displacement sensors to measure wheel motion over the road surface and responds by adjusting the shock damping at speeds approaching one millisecond. That's five times faster than previous "real time" damping systems. The secret is the magneto-rheological fluid contained in its dampers, replacing traditional mechanical valves. Suspended in this fluid are tiny iron particles that respond to an electromagnetic charge.
In the presence of a charge, the iron particles align themselves into fibrous structures that almost instantaneously create precise and wide-ranging damping characteristics. With sensors reading the road surface at a rate of 1 inch at 60 mph (25.4 mm at 97 km/h), the system responds by commanding constant changes in damping force at all four corners. The goal is to maintain tire contact with the road surface and to keep the body on an even plane, with smooth, well-controlled body motions even during aggressive maneuvers or on uneven road surfaces.
See also:
OnStar®
If the vehicle is equipped with an active OnStar system, that system may
also record data in crash or near crash-like situations.
The OnStar Terms and Conditions provides information on data colle ...
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer.
See the warranty manual for information regarding the tire warranty and where to
get service. For additional inform ...
Vehicle Overview
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 performa ...