[7 new images added]
In anticipation of a July on-sale date, Cadillac has unveiled its updated 2009 XLR roadster. As anticipated, Cadillac’s flagship model will only see slight revisions, with many of its styling cues derived from the new Cadillac CTS sedan.
For 2009, the XLR will only be offered in two trim levels – Platinum and the high-performance XLR-V. Powerplants will remain the same, with the Platinum trim level using Cadillac’s tried and true 320 horsepower 4.6L Northstar V8 and the V retaining its 443 horsepower supercharged 4.4L V8.
Exterior changes include new front and rear fascias, new fog lights and updated grilles. Although some prototype XLRs were seen sans side vents, they will be a standard feature on the new car. Both models will also use the power bulge hood previously reserved for the XLR-V model.
The XLR’s interior will also get a revision, with an Alcantaraâ„¢ headliner, new leather used on the upper instrument panel and a revised instrument cluster. Bluetooth is also integrated into the new XLR.
Cadillac hasn’t released an exact date for when the refreshed XLR will begin showing up in dealer showrooms, but it will be sometime next month.



06/06, 11:52 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I actually saw an XLR on the road yesterday. Really. No kidding. Somebody did buy one. In Canada. An old guy. It was raining.
06/06, 12:21 PM
posted by:
xyunya
I wonder how many of them are actually sold. I saw fewer of them on the road in a year then scandals about politicians going being prosecuted or charged and convicted.
06/06, 12:43 PM
posted by:
inline6
GM sells between 100 and 200 XLRs a month. So about 2000-2500 per model year. Which isn’t too far off of the SL’s American sales.
And this facelifted version looks much nicer, much richer, much classier than the outgoing model with its plastic-looking grille.
06/06, 1:14 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Sounds about right: that’s the capacity of Club Fed
06/06, 2:49 PM
posted by:
hateful83
These cars actually have great road presence in my opinion. Although, I can’t say I’m too crazy about the “facelift”. The difference in design from the top grill to the bottom looks like crap, as do the fog lamps, and don’t let me forget the side vents. I know we all dig side vents here on LLN.
06/06, 3:20 PM
posted by:
Jazz
hmmm – looks like the old 1
06/06, 4:39 PM
posted by:
bayrider
I hope that’s not the interior. It looks so cheap and boring.
06/06, 5:54 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Well, it does have a distinctive look, should stand out on the street.
06/06, 8:12 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Was hoping Caddy might try and save their Northstar V8’s by showing direct injection with this update.
06/06, 9:52 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
The interior is what needs a serious update. GM COULD do so much better, if only they chose to do so.
06/07, 7:25 PM
posted by:
DialM4Speed
Looks like the last one to me. I have seen a few of these on the road in a rather affluent town that I know of. I like how the exhaust is in the middle of the bumper but I’m sure they’ll move it to the corners when it hits showrooms. They did the same thing with the Aura. And they need to shave those fender archs big time! They look hugh and throw off the look of the car.
06/07, 8:44 PM
posted by:
nitinsharma1000
IMO this car looks better in pictures than in real life.
06/07, 10:53 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
DialM4Speed, they might not move the exhaust, the production CTS coupe is getting center exhaust.
06/08, 3:17 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
No offense but Americans interiors suck. Bad leather, worst wood, “Spacious” but unsafe.
06/08, 7:39 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Rafa, what about the CTS, the new Malibu, the Milan, and so forth, domestics are really doing a great job now.
06/09, 10:23 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
The interior is improved, but not enough to be competitive. You know you have a problem when your entry level model, the CTS, has a much nicer interior than your $80k-$100k flagship. The interior needed an overhaul, not a refresh like it got.
Oh well, the car still looks great from the outside (except for those tacky chrome side vents)
06/09, 5:41 PM
posted by:
The Stig
What reason is there to buy this?
06/09, 5:45 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
There will always be people to buy something like this, thus they make the vehicle.
06/09, 5:54 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘Z06ified’, you’ve nailed it.
‘NoNameDufus’, more stupidity … keep it up, useless tool.
06/09, 6:01 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
You are a useless tool Impulsive, so stop acting like an idiot. Car companies will always build cars and people will buy them, welcome to capitalism.
06/09, 6:20 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Stop using my lines, write-off … you’re too stupid to come with anything of value.
Keep pissing on this site … I need more ammo to use against **** like you.
06/09, 6:21 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
You do not have anything and I did not use your line.
06/09, 6:52 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
****wad, “useless tool” was mine. Idiot. Too stupid to remember? It’s right there to see. Get help in reading comprehension, illiterate monkey.
06/09, 6:53 PM
posted by:
Badass Z51
Nice car but…..how much do youwant for it? I guess that would explain why I’ve only seen 4 of them on the road since it’s intro.
06/09, 7:06 PM
posted by:
1 Man Wrecking Crew
I wish they’d get rid of those ugly amber DRL’s on this & the Vette. If GM really wanted people to think they were serious, they should have gone with LED’s in the front being that is the trend now & this was a facelift.
06/09, 7:29 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
They could use the DRL LED from the Audi R8 at $5800. Remember that ****? WTF? For $5800, you could rent noname’s mom and sister for the weekend. Best part? His mom’s teeth come out! YAY DENTURES!
06/09, 8:06 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
1 Man Wrecking Crew, you are right, they need LEDs, most luxury makers are switching to that for lighting tech.
06/09, 10:32 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘brassmonkey’ in da house!
06/10, 3:55 AM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
They could have at least used some form of the ZR1’s engine in this.
09/03, 7:35 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Aaaa I hate that stupid lower grill. It only looks good on the CTS, but ruined the STS and apparently this car that was already beautiful.