Used 2007 Cadillac XLR

Designed to go toe-to-toe with such major-league competitors as the Mercedes-Benz SL, BMW 650i and Jaguar XK, the XLR-V represents the cream of the crop in Cadillac technology, luxury and performance. Powered by a 443-horsepower, supercharged V8 engine, the XLR-V boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of less than five seconds, giving it the moves and the muscle to play in this league. What remains to be seen, however, is whether the Cadillac name has made sufficient inroads into the super-luxury car buyer’s psyche to warrant a $100,000 asking price. For these customers, a car’s prestige and name recognition are every bit as important as its performance capabilities and luxury amenities.

Effortless is the best way to describe the XLR-V, closely followed by delightful. Acceleration is awesome, yet smooth and controlled. Because the exhaust system changes during "aggressive" driving, you hear the subdued gurgle periodically – enough to remind you what’s lurking within, but never annoying. Although you can sense the suspension tautness at all times, the ride is surprisingly satisfying – not tame or light, but far short of punishing. Steering control is close to unbeatable, yielding a confident and positive feel, along with quick and certain responses. Through close, quick curves, the XLR-V behaves with nearly-level cornering and predictable reactions.

Although the "regular" XLR is impressively detailed within the cockpit, the XLR-V reaches a further step ahead in luxury with its handcrafted interior. Ebony-hued Zingana wood adorns the cockpit, which is cozy but sufficiently spacious for two, and allows easy entry. French-stitched leather seats with perforated suede seating surfaces are heated and cooled, and keep you in place without the need for excessive side bolstering. Sensibly-designed instruments are easy to read at a glance, but interior storage is scant and the retracted hardtop steals plenty of trunk space.

Like the standard XLR, the XLR-V has a power retractable hardtop that goes through an intriguing process to move up or down. There’s no garish bulge on the hood, but there is a dome to make room for the engine’s supercharger. Twin polished wire-mesh grilles lead the way, while 10-spoke silver-finished wheels hold 19-inch tires. V-series badging and "Supercharged" script also set the XLR-V apart from its basic XLR companion. Cadillac’s Adaptive Forward Lighting system responds to the steering wheel, shifting the headlamps up to 15 degrees outboard and five degrees inboard to improve night visibility.

Sport/Manual-mode Transmission Operation
There are three operating modes for the automatic transmission: Full automatic for most driving, performance-oriented automatic for demanding driving or manually selecting the gears by tapping the shift lever. Each mode delivers great response from the combination of the Northstar engine and the new six-speed transmission.

Supercharged Engine
Even those who stick to responsible road speeds and legal limits can appreciate the XLR-V’s silken, nearly sensuous power delivery. Of course, they might not wish to pay the extra price for that potential, either at the dealership or, repeatedly, the gas pump.

Just about everything a luxury-performance fan could savor is included in the XLR-V’s hefty price, though none of the features are unique or particularly dramatic. The sizable list of standard equipment includes rear parking assist sensors, four-setting StabiliTrak stability-enhancement, GM’s OnStar system with a hands-free phone, a leather/wood tilt/telescoping steering wheel, XM Satellite Radio and memory for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, mirrors and radio. The standard navigation system, which accepts voice commands, has a colorful, easy-to-read video screen. Magnetic Ride Control is specially calibrated for the XLR-V, with "track" and "touring" modes, and the engine starts by pushing a button. Every Northstar V8 is hot-tested at the factory.

Except for three body-color choices and two interior possibilities, there are no options available for the XLR-V. But, then again, the basic XLR is also available only in fully-equipped form.

While the regular XLR makes do with a "mere" 320 horsepower, the super-hot XLR-V holds a supercharged 4.4-liter V8 with a whopping 443 horsepower. Cadillac claims that 90 percent of the peak torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. With its two overdrive ratios and wide gear-ratio spread, the new Hydra-matic 6L80 rear-mounted six-speed automatic transmission is said to be nearly equivalent to a seven-speed. The manual-shift mode uses buttons on the console-mounted shift lever, but moving the lever to the side engages the Sport automatic mode.

4.4-liter V8 Supercharged
443 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
414 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22