Does Cadillac Still Make The Xlr

It could fill a small but meaningful gap in Cadillac's lineup.

Cadillac has some great products in its lineup right now such as the new Escalade, while the upcoming Lyriq - the brand's first electric vehicle - will usher in a new era for the company. But beyond traditional sedan and SUV body styles, Cadillac lacks a truly sporty, aspirational model. The Cadillac XLR, based on the Corvette C6, tried to fill that role but with limited success. A better bet may be a sporty, mid-engined Caddy based on the latest Corvette C8, a sports car that offers plenty of bang for the buck. Oscar Vargas has put together a couple of renderings of what a C8-based Caddy could look like.

Oscar Vargas/Instagram

In silhouette, the sporty Caddy render clearly resembles the C8, but with Cadillac styling cues, it has its own visual appeal. At the front, the dramatic headlight clusters with a vertical element that stretches deep into the front bumper is a look that instantly ties this sports car to Cadillac sedans like the CT5. A small interpretation of the Cadillac grille replaces the slanted front-end of the Corvette. Along the sides, the render boasts unique wheels, a smaller intake with an integrated V badge, and a more intricate design to the shape of the glasshouse behind the door. There are no renders of the rear-end, but it definitely looks like a legitimate Cadillac sports car from this angle.

Oscar Vargas/Instagram

This render is infinitely prettier than the original XLR and an earlier render of a C8-based Cadillac. In theory, this new Cadillac could make use of the C8's impressive 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces up to 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. In the Corvette, that's enough to reach 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds, based on real-world testing. Inside, the Caddy could feature a few more luxurious touches to set it apart from the sporty 'Vette. If Cadillac does surprise us and build a low-volume sports car with a powerful gas engine, it had better do so while it still has time.

Kleber Silva via Behance