2006 CADILLAC XLR | 1G6YX36D665602670
❯2006 CADILLAC XLR | 1G6YX36D665602670
United States
Lot details
Vehicle details
Vehicle specifications
2
~$105,000
Engine: 4.4L supercharged V8 (Northstar SC)
Torque: 561 Nm
0–100 km/h: ~4.6 s
The XLR-V was the performance flagship of Cadillac’s ambitious entry into the luxury roadster segment. With its supercharged Northstar V8 producing 443 horsepower, it accelerated with urgency and linearity, reaching 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. The torque delivery was muscular and immediate, aided by a responsive 6-speed automatic transmission tuned for performance driving.
Despite its grand touring pretensions, the XLR offered sharp handling dynamics thanks to its stiff hydroformed frame borrowed from the C6 Corvette. Magnetic Ride Control continuously adjusted damping for road conditions, allowing confident cornering with minimal body roll. The rear-wheel-drive layout and near-perfect weight balance gave it excellent composure on twisty roads.
The XLR wasn’t a raw sports car — instead, it straddled the line between comfort and aggression. With its retractable hardtop, luxurious appointments, and quiet cruising manners, it made long-distance journeys feel effortless. In V form, it gained a more purposeful character without compromising Cadillac’s traditional smoothness, offering a rare mix of old-school Americana and European-like refinement.
Body Styles
The XLR was a two-door luxury roadster with a power-retractable hardtop, combining the look of a coupe with the open-air appeal of a convertible. Its proportions were dramatic, with a long hood, short rear deck, and sharply creased body panels that emphasized width and stance. Flush headlamps, vertical taillights, and a low ride height gave it a futuristic silhouette. The retractable roof stowed neatly into the trunk without compromising overall design cohesion, although it did limit cargo capacity significantly when folded. The entire structure was built atop a bespoke Corvette-derived chassis, giving it true sports car proportions and road presence.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The XLR name followed Cadillac’s emerging alphanumeric naming convention of the early 2000s, aiming to align with European rivals. The "X" subtly suggested something experimental or exclusive, while "LR" had no officially stated meaning but was intended to create a premium, high-tech aura.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The XLR was offered in a rich palette of sophisticated colors, including Black Raven, Light Platinum, Crimson Pearl, and Blue Steel. Special hues like Infrared and Gold Mist further highlighted its exotic nature. Paint finishes were deep and glossy, often paired with brushed aluminum or body-colored accents for a seamless appearance. The V variant introduced more aggressive styling with unique mesh grilles and darker metallic tones.
Inside, the XLR featured an upscale cabin trimmed in genuine eucalyptus wood, chrome accents, and hand-stitched leather in tones such as Shale, Ebony, and Cashmere. The dashboard was minimalist but well-equipped, with a centrally mounted touchscreen, real-time GPS, and a head-up display. Seating was low and snug, with performance-oriented bolstering in the XLR-V and contrast stitching to underscore its sport-luxury ethos.
Wheel choices ranged from elegant 18-inch polished alloys on the base model to exclusive 19-inch multi-spoke forged aluminum wheels on the XLR-V. These were finished in chrome or high-gloss silver, with a staggered setup to enhance rear grip and add visual drama. The large wheel arches and low ride height further emphasized the car’s planted stance.
Top Expensive Options
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Radar Sensing: $2,000
- Infrared Exterior Paint: $995
- Eucalyptus Wood Interior Trim: $1,200
- Head-Up Display System: $1,100
- Performance Brake Package (XLR-V): $2,500
- Touchscreen Navigation with DVD: $1,800
- Power Retractable Hardtop Mechanism: $4,000
- Keyless Entry with Push Start: $800
- 19" Polished Alloy Wheels (V): $1,700
- Heated and Cooled Leather Seats: $1,300
vs Competitors
In the mid-2000s, the Cadillac XLR stood in a niche segment — a luxury roadster with both high-performance and cruiser traits. Compared to the Mercedes SL500, the XLR was more avant-garde in design and lighter on its feet, though it lacked the SL's interior opulence and refinement. Against the Jaguar XK, the Cadillac offered better reliability and futuristic styling, but the Jag had a more emotional appeal. While it shared its chassis with the Corvette, the XLR was less visceral and more composed, offering a different kind of driving experience — calmer, more luxurious, and technologically advanced for its time. The XLR-V, however, blurred the line and approached AMG territory with muscle car torque and a stealthier appearance.
Fun Fact
The Cadillac XLR was assembled alongside the Chevrolet Corvette at GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky plant — a rare instance of a Cadillac built in a sports car facility. It was also one of the first American cars to feature adaptive cruise control and a full retractable hardtop, making it a technological showcase for the brand and a statement of intent during Cadillac’s early 2000s renaissance.