Cadillac XLR Coupe.
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Maybe instead of a hard top convertible, a next-generation Cadillac XLR could be a regular 2 door coupe.
The original XLR came out in 2003 and was based on the 1999 Cadillac Evoq Concept. The production model stayed surprisingly close to the stunning concept and GM designers did a fantastic job on both cars.
Of course, the XLR was never intended to be a huge hit and Cadillac didn’t have a suitable platform for a 2-seater car. GM decided the Chevrolet Corvette platform would make a great sporty Cadillac.
GM threw everything into the XLR. All the tech and luxury they could imagine. That included adaptive suspension, touchscreen GPS, Bulgari clock and instrument cluster, heated and cooling seats, and more. Including, of course, a powered hard top.
The XLR didn’t inherit the Corvette’s V8 and instead used the Northstar V8 used in other Cadillac models. With 320HP it was probably more than enough for a luxury car. However, an XLR-V trim was introduced in 2005 with 443HP from a Supercharged Northstar engine.
I think the XLR still looks great today. However, they are getting very rare. Total sales of the whole production run until 2009 were only 15,460 units. At over $75,000 in 2003, it was an expensive car, as a fancy Cadillac should be. Equivalent to around $122,000 today. But not nearly as crazy as the new Celestiq starting at over $340,000.
These days, a Corvette-based XLR would have to use the Corvette engine, since Cadillac doesn’t have its own V8 available anymore. Unless they decided somehow to revive the great Blackwing V8 produced from 2018 to 2020. And used on very few cars.
The most obvious solution would be the very modular Ultium platform. Which would allow for even more power. And is currently available and used on many other GM models.
It will make HISTORY … by being the first Cadillac with single-digit sales numbers.