New Cadillac XLR-V to Compete Head-On with Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

At the heart of the XLR-V is Caddy's new Northstar-SC, a supercharged version of the brand's 4.4-litre V8 as first seen in the

With 440-horsepower available, the motor succinctly trumps the standard XLR by 120 horsepower. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

highly capable STS-V that debuted in Detroit. With 440-horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque available, the motor succinctly trumps the standard XLR by 120 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque, and attains the golden 100 hp/L mark. This drastic boost in power allows the XLR-V to hone in on some of the finest performance machines from the three-pointed star and the leaping cat, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of under five seconds.

As much as the XLR-V is a competitor to other ultra-luxurious convertibles, it's also a showcase for Cadillac's advanced technologies. These include a variable-flow exhaust system that gets spent gases through the system more quickly (and produces a throatier exhaust sound) at higher engine speeds, a new six-speed rear-mounted automatic gearbox, sport-tuned Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and Adaptive Corner Lighting, which swivels the xenon HID headlamps to illuminate around corners.

As for its exterior and interior, this classy Caddy has been reworked slightly to emphasize the car's sporty character.

The Caddy XLR-V is a far more credible performance machine than Chevy's latest SS offerings, TrailBlazer SS aside. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Larger, ten-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, black-painted calipers and special 'V' badging are subtle accents to the new hood scoop, polished grille and tailpipes. The supple, luxurious interior features special stitching on the front buckets and new wood and metal accents for the dashboard and center console.

The Caddy XLR-V is a far more credible performance machine than Chevy's latest SS offerings, TrailBlazer excluded, and it's the vehicle the luxury brand needs to compete with the upper-crust of the performance roadster market. Of course, this impressive display of power and luxury won't be cheap - it's expected to start at over $140,000! Pricing has yet to be announced for the Chevrolets, but expect them to be competitive. Look for these three new vehicles to hit showrooms late this summer.