XLR Cadillac

[justafamilyman]

xlr cadillac

To All Members, Readers, Lurkers and et.al.
I read on another forum that the Cadillac XLR will be built on the same platform as the Corvette for the 2004 model. Does this mean that the 2003 Vette is the last pure Vette built?

 

[92ghost]

Depends on what you mean by pure... Looking back at the "Old" Camaro and Firebird they looked similar but not one body panel could be interchanged. The engines were different too (until the mid 70's). I think they used the same tranny and diff and maybe the breaks but many Purists would say they were two totally different cars. In contrast, for the Cad XLR and 04 Vette does this dilute their purity could be biterly argued.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
No, XLR will NOT replace Corvette. Yes, it is built on the frame of c5. Yes, it is being built in the same plant as Corvette.
No, Corvette will be with us for many years to come.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[reubenmc]

I read in an article about the C6 in a Corvette magazine and it talked about the XLR in that article. It said it'll be using pretty much the same frame from the C5 and it will share some brake and suspension parts with the C6. I toured the assembly plant in January. Although the tour didn't go through the XLR's line, we did walk by where the line was. They even had one going through but it was just starting so you couldn't really make it out. We talked to a guy who worked in the assembly plant and he said they four XLR's there that morning but had been sent out for crash testing and the one they gave to the Super Bowl MVP

 

[impala]

I don't remember which Marketing magazine I read it in but the article stated that while the XLR will be high performance the official GM Corporate marketing strategy is for the Corvette to always be the corporate wide High Performance flagship for GM. It's not in their best interest to muddy the buying public's perception of Cadillac equals success and luxury while the Corvette equals youth and performance. I think they'll try to sway some people to the XLR via the Led Zepplin ads but the Corvette pretty much sells itself, I can't remember the last time I saw a Corvette commercial.

Eugene

 

[DkBG]

If the XLR is being built on the C-5 frame and is considered to be on the same platform as the C-6 , does that mean the C-6 is going to use the same frame as the C-5? Cliff

 

[reubenmc]

DkBG,
The article I read said the C6 frame is largely the same as the C5, and the guy I talked to in the Assembly plant said the only difference between the C6 frame and XLR frame was the way the very read was made where the bumpers were.

 

[tankman]

But with both vehicles being built at hte Bowling Green facility, it must mean a reduced production capability for Corvette.

 

[c4c5specialist]

But with both vehicles being built at hte Bowling Green facility, it must mean a reduced production capability for Corvette.

Hi there,
XLR will be built separately, on a different production line than Corvette. This due to substantial differences in design of interior amenities, and other issues with the folding hard top.
Corvette production will not suffer, thankfully so.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[reubenmc]

The guy I talked to in the assembly plant said they were going to have to start a second shift so they could get all the 'Vette and XLR body panels painted.

 

[justafamilyman]

Hi Members, Lurkers, and All Others,
It looks like my answer is "yes". The XLR appears to be a "rich man's Vette". Granted that the Camero and the Firebird had cosmetic differences (ie. headlights) they were essentially the same. Oh no, flame from Camero-Firebird owners.
The Ford Tarus and Windstar were built on the same frame. Essentially the same car but with different top boxes. Oh no, Ford flames.
To my point, the 2003 Vette will be the last "pure Vette". GM has decided to "dilute" the sports car market with the XLR. Oh no. Cadillac flames.

 

[danl72]

The XLR and the C6 will have different engines. The XLR has the Northstar while the C6 will have a newer version of the LS1 with more power. The Vette will be fine. The XLR is just another attemp by GM to get buyer to buy a Cadillac coupe. They are trying to compete with Lexus, MB, and other luxury car makers.