Rumor has it that Cadillac will be freshening the XLR for the 2009 model year.

This would likely mean the new version would appear mid-year (though it is possible it could be as late as mid-2009 if Cadillac puts the model on hiatus for a time before bringing out the new model).

Expect styling to reflect the new CTS/STS/Provoq styling language as well as a brand new, fitting for a $75k car, interior.

Also, this may mark a change from the NorthStar V-8 engines (which are expected to end production in 2010) to versions of the GM smallblock V-8 from the Corvette. This could mean a new XLR-V powered by the same 550hp supercharged LSA V-8 from the CTS-V.

More news as we get it…

Categories: News, XLR, V-Series, Rumored Models
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Design News gets a walk around of the new Provoq concept.

Enjoy.

Categories: Concepts, News, BRX / BTX, Rumored Models, Video
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Check out this video from GM about the Provoq concept’s drivetrain – narrated by the Provoq’s designer:

Categories: Concepts, News, BRX / BTX, Rumored Models, Video
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This week, word leaked out that the program to design the next Chevrolet Corvette had been put on hold due to uncertainty around how GM will meet the upcoming 2020 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.

The most likely result is a smaller/lighter Corvette (possibly based on the smaller Kappa platform used by the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky). This would allow the use of a smaller V-8 than the Corvette’s current 6.2l pushrod small-block to get similar performance all with better fuel economy.

Our expectation is this would result in a slightly expanded 2nd generation Kappa chassis for both the Corvette and XLR in order to separate the models from the smaller Kappa models and allow for the larger interiors that buyers of both expect. Expect a smaller V-8 for the Corvette with the XLR getting a high-tech V-6 based on the 304hp mill from the CTS/STS – perhaps with forced induction.

Stay tuned.

Categories: News, XLR, Rumored Models
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As if we didn’t suspect this already – Automotive News is reporting an interview with Cadillac head Jim Taylor that the Provoq will see production (in gas powered form, of course) in 2009 as the spiritual successor to the SRX.

Sales goals for the new crossover (based on GM’s ‘premium Theta’ platform) are 60-70k units per year. This compares to the 20k units the SRX sells per year.

For those who liked the SRX’s sporty bent and wouldn’t be caught dead in one of these ‘crossover/SUV-ish’ things…Cadillac will have your number with the CTS sport wagon that should hit the market about the same time as the CTS coupe (i.e. 2010 model year).

Source – Automotive News via eGMCarTech

Categories: Concepts, News, CTS, SRX, BRX / BTX, Rumored Models
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