2009 XLR: More Dramatic Design and Technology for Cadillac's Roadster

DETROIT, June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its inception in 2004, Cadillac's
XLR has been a fresh face in the elite club of the world's finest luxury
roadsters. Today Cadillac revealed the new 2009 edition of the XLR Roadster,
featuring styling and model enhancements providing more dramatic design and
technology.
Only the finest editions of Cadillac's retractable hardtop roadster will
be offered in 2009: The luxurious XLR Platinum and the high-performance XLR-V.
The XLR Platinum is equipped with a 320-horsepower (239 kW) 4.6L Northstar V-8
engine. The XLR-V, part of Cadillac's V-Series of high-performance models, is
powered with a 443-horsepower (330 kW) 4.4L Supercharged Northstar V-8 engine.
The 2009 XLR includes a new front fascia, new rear fascia and new side
fender vents. The revised design is inspired by the award-winning CTS sport
sedan, delivering more detail and aggressiveness to Cadillac's roadster. The
front fascia includes new fog lamps and specific upper and lower grilles for
the Platinum and V-Series models. Also, both '09 models feature the
distinctive hood with a raised center section that was previously exclusive to
the V-Series.
"XLR has been a catalyst for the dramatic design and technology driving
Cadillac's ongoing renaissance," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager.
"The enhanced 2009 model exemplifies the continued development of Cadillac's
approach to design, performance and craftsmanship."
The ultra-luxury XLR Platinum model receives additional exterior
identifiers, including a revised rear fascia with more pronounced new exhaust
tips and a new 18-inch wheel design (painted wheel finish is standard; chrome
is optional).
Inside, the '09 XLR lineup delivers more luxury and technology.
Alcantara(TM) -- a suede-like microfiber material -- is used for the headliner
material, in either Ebony or Cashmere color. Also new is hand-cut and sewn
leather used on the upper instrument panel. This hand-stitched and wrapped
leather lends tailored elegance to the cabin, representing Cadillac's new
approach to modern and elegant interior craftsmanship.
The updated cabin includes new instrument cluster trim rings and graphics,
new wood grain trims (Natural Olive Ash Burl for XLR Platinum and Black Olive
Ash Burl for XLR-V) and new metal trims (Quartz for XLR Platinum and Bermuda
for XLR-V.)
Advanced technology has always been a trademark of XLR, and that legacy
continues in 2009. This includes Cadillac's acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control
system and amenities such as Keyless Access with push-button start, DVD
navigation and entertainment, heated and cooled seats, head-up display and
heated steering wheel. XLR's advanced technologies also include Adaptive
Forward Lighting that enables the headlamps to swivel in concert with vehicle
steering, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
XLR is factory-equipped with OnStar 8.0 with Bluetooth capability. The
next-generation OnStar 8.0 system (OnStar subscription is not required for
Bluetooth) features enhanced hands-free voice commands, Turn-by-Turn
navigation and Emap powered by MapQuest. This includes the industry-first
Destination Download feature, in which directions can be downloaded from
OnStar directly to the car's navigation system -- eliminating the need to stop
the car to manually enter a destination.
SOURCE General Motors Corporation

David Caldwell, Cadillac Communications, +1-313-665-7252,
david.caldwell@gm.com