The Evoq, which debuted Cadillac’s ‘Art and Science’ design style at the 1999 Detroit motor show, will go into production as the XLR.

The new luxury roadster will be the first Cadillac to use a higher output 4.6 litre Northstar engine in a rear-drive platform. An electronic five-speed automatic transaxle will be standard.

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The XLR will have steel hydroformed side rails with an aluminum cockpit structure and, Cadillac claims, will lead its class for structural efficiency, ride quality and agility.

Car Top Systems GmbH of Germany have developed the fully automatic retractable hardtop.

Michelin’s run-flat PAX System will also feature on the XLR.

The Cadillac XLR will debut as a 2003 model produced on a dedicated assembly line at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

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