Cadillac is striving to reclaim its position as a premier luxury brand. The company is preparing its ultra-premium assault with the Celestiq sedan, an all-electric vehicle priced over $300,000, hoping to rival Rolls-Royce. However, this isn’t Cadillac’s first attempt at a luxury renaissance. In the mid-2000s, Cadillac sought to modernize its image with the XLR roadster.
The 2004 XLR, a prime example of Cadillac’s aspirations, is heading to the Mecum Houston auction in April. This vehicle, with just under 13,000 miles, serves as a reminder of General Motors’ earlier efforts to revitalize its luxury brand.
Cadillac XLR Quick Specs:
- Base MSRP: $340,000
- Engine: Electric
- Horsepower: 600 hp
- Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
- 0-60 MPH: 3.8 seconds
The XLR showcased Cadillac’s ‘Art & Science’ design philosophy more than any other model from the 2000s. Inspired by the striking Evoq concept car, the XLR adopted its architecture from the C6 Corvette. It shared a hydroformed perimeter frame and rear-mounted transmission with the Corvette, even being assembled on the same production line in Bowling Green.
While it utilized a powertrain of its own, with a 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter Northstar V8 and a five-speed automatic gearbox, the car still offered significant performance on the road. The Corvette underpinnings contributed to the XLR’s attractive design, with its long hood balanced by sharply creased fenders, which gave it a classic look. Inside, the XLR aimed to challenge the Mercedes SL, featuring wood trim options like eucalyptus, walnut, and sapele, and an art deco gauge cluster designed by Bulgari.
The XLR was ahead of its time, being the first GM product to include adaptive cruise control, along with a head-up display, heated and cooled seats, an in-dash DVD entertainment system, and a premium Bose audio system.
Despite its many luxury features and performance, the XLR didn’t fully capture the market’s attention. The car weighed about 3,600 pounds, approximately 400 pounds less than the Mercedes SL and its 320 hp allowed it to reach 60 mph in times faster than a Benz. Even a $15,000 price advantage compared to the Mercedes luxury roadster couldn’t convince enough buyers, and GM discontinued the XLR in 2009 after producing around 15,000 units.
The XLR going to auction has 12,958 miles, averaging roughly 600 miles per year. The car’s condition reflects this limited use. Its black paint remains lustrous, and the taupe-and-beige interior is well-maintained, with carpets that look nearly new. This black and tan XLR exemplifies American luxury from the early 2000s. The car could prove to be an interesting investment, as Mecum recently offered similar low-mileage XLRs that sold for around $30,000. It would seem that the Cadillac XLR is yet another car that people only realize what they had once it’s gone.
Source: Mecum Auctions
