2008 D3 Cadillac XLR-V

Stigmas are hard to shake. Perhaps the hardest one in the automotive world to shake is the idea that Cadillac makes cars for the more "senior" members of society. Long has this been an image that Cadillac has tried to shake, even as it's counterpart Buick seems to embrace it.

With Caddy recently introducing the new CTS, it's a legitimate German fighter. The car has received much praise and was even Motor Trend's Car of the Year. But when you look upwards in the lineup to the Corvette twin XLR, you can't help but think that it's a Corvette for older folks.

The XLR is, basically, a Corvette with less power, more plush interior, and a softer ride. It sports some nice styling and is definitely a head turner. Corvettes are a dime a dozen, but when you see an XLR it turns heads.

For those with a desire to look unique and go fast, D3 Motorsports has the solution for you. D3's focus has been on amping-up Cadillac's already formidable V-series offerings, with its take on the Cadillac XLR-V roadster being the latest and greatest.

Save for the shiny 20 inch wheels, this Caddy is all business. D3's stage 2 package consists of an upgraded supercharger, monster dual intake, Corsa full exhaust system, upgraded intercooler, performance spark plugs, auxiliary methanol injection cooling system, and retuned suspension (although no components are replaced). Rubber also is upgraded, with Toyo Proxes T1Rs sized 245/35ZR20 up front and 285/30ZR20 in the rear replacing the stock 19-in. Pirelli runflats.

All of these upgrades result in 575 hp at 5900 rpm and 585 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Sixty mph comes and goes in just 4.2 sec, the quarter in 12.7 sec at 112 mph - take that Vette owner!

D3's asking price for the package is $16,435 -- $8555 for the performance modifications, $5200 for the wheels, $1180 for the tires, and $1500 for the installation. The XLR-V itself costs $101,300, bringing the total price to $117,735, some $15,000 and change shy of the SL63. Skip the big-ticket wheels and accompanying tires, and that drops to $111,355 -- not the worst deal in the world, all things considered, and a far cry from your grandpa's old Fleetwood.