STORY LINE:        CADILLAC’S- SIXTEEN, XLR.  MUSTANG CSR-GT RACER … CONCEPT DREAM CARS @ EOD 2003

THE 2003 NAIAS at Cobo Hall was excellent for concept and dream car watchers. Everybody had a little something to show … but Cadillac did it all-I propose to you-with the “SIXTEEN” and the soon to be released-and now in production, two-seater XLR Roadster.

First the latter. The XLR is a Cadillac that will be produced on an all new assembly line at the Bowling Green Corvette facility and utilizing the basic design substructure-frame/platform of the current Corvette-steel hydroformed perimeter frame rails, enclosed structural “tunnel”, aluminum cockpit structure and balsa-cored composite floors …but with an all new Cadillac RWD, Northstar powerplant. Northstar, this is a new state-of-the-art, all aluminum, 4-valve DOHC engine of  280CID producing 315HP @ 6,400rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm, and is mounted in a conventional up front-longitudinal, north/south configuration, RWD transaxle. Originally introduced in the ’92 Seville, it should be noted that this is the first adaptation of the Northstar engine/system to RWD.

RWD engineering and build of this new Cadillac Roadster allows for a 50/50 weight distribution, the new Northstar with VVT-variable valve timing-eliminates the EGR system and associated emissions hardware, low restriction intake/exhaust manifolds with close coupled catalytic converters eliminate the need for supplemental converters or an AIR system … more power.

The 5L50E electronic 5-speed AOD carries ratios of: 3.42, 2.21, 1.60, 1.00, 0.76 with a 2.93 final drive ratio. Wheel/tire combinations are 18-inch spun aluminum and Michelin P235/50 series. A convertible hardtop, 0-60 in 5.9, lateral acceleration capabilities of 0.90g  … whoop de do and it’s a Cadillac!

I ain’t done …how about 16 cylinders, 60-degree V configuration, OHV and 1,000 dyno tested HORSEPOWER! That is the Concept Cadillac SIXTEEN. A pic-a-door dream car capable of over 20 mpg in DOD mode. That DOD means displacement on demand. Yes Cadillac once did a DOD engine last century-1981, but it was not 16 cylinders with 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 ft-lb torque. In it’s test mule and at 60% throttle this ‘thing’ smoked the tires … till the cows came home. Kudo’s to the teams that did these cars. I like Cadillac’s, it’s American.

KENNY BROWN MOTORSPORTS of Gasoline Alley/Indianapolis, Indiana is at it again and this time with a 2003 Mustang Club Sport Racer for competition in the GT class of the Speed World Challenge Series. The new for 2003 CSR-GT, is an evolution of Brown’s Mustang CSR first introduced in 2001, and is a collaborative effort between Kenny Brown Motorsports and Ford Racing. The powerplant will be the new Ford Racing 5.0 DOHC 32-valve V8 engine with FR500 cylinder heads and rated at a street legal 425HP and upwards of 500HP in full race trim.

Per the current press release; transmission is a 6-speed, rear-end carrier and other drive line components are from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog with the CSR’s current Kenny Brown front strut suspension, Cobra-based  Kenny Brown IRS rear suspension, chassis and body work. Competition is Porsche, Corvette and BMW. A 1999 or 2001  Mustang Cobra SVT is the preferred base chassis for the extensive CSR makeover. Visit; www.kennybrown.com

HELLO!!!  Want to see the largest collection-and likely the only time-of Detroit Dream Car and Concept vehicles all on one plot of real estate?  EYES ON DESIGN to be held June 22, 2003 at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, will feature some 250 GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler show, dream and concept vehicles … it’s a once in a lifetime. Some belong to the corporations and some are privately held. This will be an International celebration of fine automotive design from the past, present and future. Definitely an automotive must see. For more info on this event, www.eyeson.org

TOP HAT JOHN can be contacted for story leads, vehicle appraisals, or questions at: P.O. Box 46024, Mt. Clemens, MI., 48046-6024; or call 586-465-1933