TriShield

Actually it isn't the same engine, it's been extensively redesigned for duty in the XLR, SRX, and upcoming STS. The original Northstar engine is now finding it's way into other GM models like the Pontiac Bonneville.

I have a '99 Deville with the engine and it has been a total sweetheart like all the rest of my GM engines. Reliable, powerful, very efficient, and it doesn't consume any oil. Idle and rev refinement are top notch as well.

As good, and cool as the LS V8s are, it doesn't have the sophistication buyers of that type of car are looking for in an engine, especially compared to the competition which is pretty heady to say the least.

TriShield

For GM's first effort to make a ding in the elite roadster segment, the new XLR aquitted itself quite well.

Car and Driver Comparo

Road and Track Comparo

alexWS6

I think it would be awesome to have a classy looking car like the CTS-V with electric cutouts and a radical cam.

p.s. Im not a redneck

MrHughes919

You are paying for the electronics on the XLR. I work for GM and I know the technology in the XLR is amazing.

Shinkaze

The SL55 AMG (493 HP 519 Torque) runs mid 12s to high 11s, and FWIW Mercedes is releasing an SL65 AMG (604 HP 738 Torque) too and GM has no passenger car engine that comes close to that beast. As for weight they are hefty, but not 4600 pounds. The SL500 starts at 4000 pounds and goes up to 4400 for the SL600. The SL600 (493 HP, 590 Torque) pulls solid 11s. (I admit I actually lurk on the MB AMG board to see what those guys run since the C32/C55 is a consideration for me).

At any rate the SL line is more expensive than the XLR line but not by much, and I think the SL500 and XLR are likely cross-shopped and in that range the XLR does offer better performance, but honestly, the choice between a XLR caddy and the SL is a no-brainer for me, it has a style that the XLR doesn't come close too. Now a $60K 400HP C6 Corvette +$20K in cash vs the SL500? Now we're talk'n

Now if only the C6 Vert had a folding hard-top there would be no nead for an XLR

Shinkaze

BTW, this conversation is wholley academic for me since my wife to be would kill me if I passed over getting both of us good cars to buy one impractical car

BIGBOS

The electronics are known to take a **** when put through a high pressure car wash......

A guy who bought a red xlr from us had a problem w/this one...............

cdeselms

How could someone like that dash in the jag better...it looks like every other dash out there....plain....flat....long....not countoured to the driver at all....

According to this article the cts-v is too stylish? I guess they would want a jag that has looked the same for 20 years? wtf?

and the jag costs 30 g's more to make it even to what the cts-v comes with (can you even get nav with the jag?)....

hell the jag costs almost 2x as much...and I still think the cts-v is better...