The XLR is the implementation of the Evoq concept known for setting the radical new styling direction for Cadillac. The production car borrows heavily from the Corvette although the price tag of 75k is about 25k more than a Corvette. The XLR is powered by a 4.6 litre, 320hp Northstar V8 and has a power activated top. A performance XLR-V model features a 400+ hp supercharged V8. Aimed at luxury imports, there is a lot of plastic in this car and many have complained of the virtually non-existent trunk.

Cadillac raises the performance on its angular roadster with the introduction of the XLR-V. The XLR-V is powered by a supercharged 4.4L V-8.