After 34 years of policing, Chief Graham hasn't lost his zeal for chasing down the "bad guy," it's just that the XLR has accelerated this process - literally. At a 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) time of only 5.9 seconds, when flashing its order to stop and pull over there isn't much that can evade the fireball on the
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| At a 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) time of only 5.9 seconds, catching the "bad guys" was made a lot easier. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Chief's dash. As a strong supporter of traffic safety, the good chief is not reluctant to confront those who feel the roadway is their personal racetrack - as a few such motorists discovered when the XLR lit up their rearview. Beneath its sharply creased sheet metal, the Cadillac XLR is based on the very competent and highly praised chassis of the C5 Corvette. This rigid foundation supports one of the best looking automotive bodies to come out of North America in a very long time. In fact, every time I cast a glance at the XLR, its sleek wide stance and low roofline make me think
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| The XLR is powered by a re-worked, 320-hp 32-valve Northstar 4.6 liter V8 that now features variable valve timing. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
of superheroes. This is the sort of car that Batman would drive racing through Gotham City in search of the sinister Cat Woman, or the diabolical Riddler. And to ensure our superhero, or police chief, can effectively triumph over evil the XLR is powered by a re-worked, 32-valve Northstar 4.6 liter V8 that now features variable valve timing. The 320 growly horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque mustered up by the rev happy Northstar is channeled through a 5-speed autobox that can also be shifted manually by those who prefer their own "shift logic" to that of the Hydra-Matic 5L50-E.
