With rising gas prices and increases in CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards set to take effect in the coming decade, the future of Cadillac’s products is in doubt.

Rumors are swirling that the STS/DTS replacement (both cars were to be replaced with a single uber-model to compete against BMW’s 7-series and Mercedes S-Class), expected to be built on a premium version of GM’s new Zeta rear-drive chassis, has been canceled. The next Escalade is up in the air. Smaller products are being considered that might never have been before.

This casts doubt onto the direction Cadillac might take in the future. Will they continue on their quest to go toe-to-toe with the luxury industry heavyweights model for model (and with the new regulatory climate, what does that mean)? Will they dial back their ambition and compete with the second tier of the luxury market? Will they find their own, distinctive, path?

Let’s take a look at what will and might happen at Cadillac in the near future:

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Categories: News, Commentary, BLS, CTS, STS / SLS, SRX, DTS, XLR, Escalade, V-Series, Rumored Models
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UPDATED: Galleries of the new XLR and XLR-V now posted in our image galleries.

We knew (and largely had already seen) the facelift to the XLR roadster.

Now, Cadillac has put out at least one teaser image showing the CTS-inspired front end, fender vents, and fancy new wheels.

Details we didn’t have before include that the XLR will keep its current Northstar engines. Interior changes seem to be limited to trim and materials changes.

Technology improvements include the new Bluetooth system that we should see on most Cadillacs for 2009.

More pics and details as they become available.

Read the official press release below:

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Categories: News, XLR
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Do you get the feeling the XLR development team isn’t trying that hard?

Earlier, we brought you pictures from LLN showing the standard XLR sporting its new CTS-inspired face, dual exhaust tips, and Jaguar-esque fender vents…

Today, LLN has snagged undisguised pics of the XLR-V. This time with the V-Series mesh grills.

Of note, the hood bulge seems to have been lowered and the exhaust tips are either blacked-out or are not in final production form on this test car.

No interior shots, unfortunately, and still no word on powertrains.

With this amount of sloppiness on Cadillacs part with regard to protecting what these cars will look like – I wouldn’t be surprised if an official debut is days away.

Check out all the pics at:

LeftlaneNews.com: 2009 Cadillac XLR-V spied with no disguise

Categories: News, XLR, V-Series, Spy photos
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Well, we knew that Cadillac was working on some changes for the 2009 XLR, now we can see them in these undisguised mules.

Exterior changes are fairly minor with new integrated exhaust tips inspired by the upcoming CTS Coupe, fender vents seemingly owing more the Jaguar than the 2008 CTS/STS designs, and freshened front styling that brings the CTS grill design to the flagship.

Unknowns still include the interior and powertrain options we’ll see when the 09 XLR debuts later this year.

See all the spy shots at:

The Car Connection: 2009 Cadillac XLR, Caught Without Camo

Categories: News, XLR, Spy photos
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We’ve gone from no idea of an XLR refresh to a quick 1-2 spotting of both the freshened XLR and now the XLR-V.

In this case, Autoblog.com is showing a series of shots of a disguised XLR w/ an obvious mesh grill and bulging hood – marking this as the V-Series.

Unknown at this time (other than the final look of the refresh) is if this will continue to use the supercharged Northstar – which is rumored to go away early in the next decade or if a version of the corporate small-block V-8 will replace it. Given the plethora of options from the Corvette above the 6.2l LS3 (the Z06’s 505hp, 7.0l V-8 and the supercharged smallblock that becomes the LSA in the new CTS-V) we’d guess for a version of the LSA in the new XLR-V.

Expect a coming-out of the new XLR and XLR-V later this year, perhaps as early as the normal 2009 model change-over in July/August.

See the rest of the spy shots over at:

Autoblog.com: Spy Shots – 2009 Cadillac XLR-V

Categories: News, XLR, V-Series, Spy photos
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