A series of new renderings depict a futuristic mid-engine 2025 Cadillac XLR concept, giving us a taste of what a modern, ICE-based, Caddy-branded supercar might look like.
The images were recently posted to social media and show the mid-engine 2025 Cadillac XLR concept from multiple angles, including the exterior and the interior. While GM currently has no known plans to create such a thing, seeing these images certainly gets us thinking.
The images show sweeping lines and curving body panels that lend this mid-engine Cadillac XLR a sci-fi-esque vibe, with a two-tone orange-and-black paint finish enhancing the curves nicely. The front end is pointed and sharp, falling forward at a steep angle and offset by a large lower chin spoiler and 90-degree corner lights.
Meanwhile, the cabin continues the two-tone style with accents on the steering wheel, door card, and dash. A digital readout is seen behind the three spoke steering wheel, while the asymmetric infotainment layout points at the driver.
Although we can see a few Cadillac design cues littered here and there, this particular concept fails to incorporate all of the typical design language expected of a modern Cadillac, both up front and in the cockpit. Indeed, GM Authority provided its own rendering of a potential mid-engine Cadillac sports car back in 2022, so check that out for a more faithful adaptation of the current language.
Regardless, we think GM could potentially pull off a new mid-engine sports car by utilizing its Y2 vehicle platform, the same architecture that underpins to C8 Corvette.
The concept of a dedicated Cadillac sports car has been something of an on-again, off-again affair for GM. As GM Authority covered last year, GM once approved a mid-engine Cadillac project, with GM giving the green light for development around 2007. The project was reportedly targeted to cradle a supercharged Northstar engine behind the cabin, but unfortunately, the project was shelved amid budgetary constraints in the wake of GM’s bankruptcy.
Now, Cadillac is now more focused on all-electric luxury, with the Cadillac Celestiq leading the way. Nevertheless, this mid-engine Cadillac XLR concept has us daydreaming over what may have been.
Comments
I’m actually not mad at this! With minor tweaking, this would be awesome in Cadillac’s lineup.
I don’t care how many units it would move. Cadillac needs stuff like this in it’s portfolio.
Why is every AI generated car a story on this site now?
Because the production stuff is really boring except for the Corvette.
From a corporation called GENERAL MOTORS I’m not sure what people expect. These AI stories are lame as well. What’s up with the car on the screen? Was it in a wreck?
WOW WOW WOW !!!
That is AMAZING Please build it, but not for China, at least not only for China.
China is the reason GM kept Buick and trashed Pontiac. GM wanted to drop one of their lines of cars, Chevrolet and Cadillac were top two big sellers, but the Chinese buy up Buicks like crazy, so GM kept Buick for that reason, the Chinese demand.
Much, much cleaner design than the Corvette. I like. A lot. Closer to what the Corvette CERV III or Corvette Indy was, alot more organic surface cues than the sharp folds and creases on the C8. I always hoped the C8 would be more CERV III than what it ended it. Build this and it will find a market.
Next Gen corvette? Much Much sexier looking. No stupid big spoiler. Make one gas, one electric. I would sell my Mustang Boss 302.
Beautiful car. Would love to see it built.
It’s time to make this happen Cadillac! A supercar would do wonders for your image!
Tease Tease Tease.
Bowling Green Kentucky Plant again is not ready to pull this off to build Five thousand of Mid XLR”s a year begining in Spring 2025, says one you tube posting and many more.
Nothing to disrupt the Corvette sales and popularity.
All the you tube videos posted and all the wishful thinking, nothing is etched in stone from Cadillac with a press release that XLR will make a return.
However you gotta liike the concept.. .
I’ll buy one and trade in my 2020 vet.
“vet”? Isn’t that where you take a sick pet?
It looks alot like the 2002 Cadillac Cien concept, makes too much sense to build it on the C8 chassis. What are they waiting for? GM could elevate the Cadillac status globally, much like the Escalade did! Fast track the development, it can’t happen fast enough.
Build it, make it smooth
Can’t let go of those Kenworth vertical marker lights, can you, Mary ?
Cadillac needs a bespoke hypercar, not a dressed up C8.
Carbon fiber monocoque. V12 like the Cien with a hybrid assist as a nod to F1 since they are on the grid in ’26.
Looks like they used AI to stretch an Audi R8. Love the color, though…
The DP Cadillac has an LT6 with a cross plane crankshaft and electric take off and bump start. I think it should use more of that design language. Watch-like analog gauges and Bugatti inspired interior would be great. It’d be wicked.
Years ago, in 2004, I went to the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was then the venue for the Formula One race in America. In the infield there were many carmaker displays including one for Cadillac. The XLR was featured prominently. As my friends and I approached the Caddy display, I overheard two guys around me and I never forgotten their words. One says to the other “Oh hey, there’s an XLR!”. The other replies, “Dude, that’s just a Corvette in drag!” And he was right. That’s all it was. Cadillac doesn’t need another Corvette in costume and drag makeup. They need many things but not that.
P#ssy gm too worried.. making garbage boxes now..what do you want? Some idiot can make the drawing for free..get it out there!! We would trade our beautiful cts coupe!!
Great mock- up!!
James n Patti
That render is just about perfect. Put the 5V BW guts in it and make sure it has 3 pedals. I’ll take two! That said, if it’s got the C8’s crap DCT in it or any sort of EV nonsense, hard, hard pass.
Cadillac is far more likely to get the corvette SUV than the corvette for a new model
I was a master mechanic at Cadillac for 25 years and remember when the XLR-V that was very cool on the Corvette chassis so let’s take that to today and beat the other brands of sports luxury fun cars. Let’s start with what you see in the picture and install 4 25,000 k rpm electric motors with 1250 horsepower and call it the XLREV with a 100 HP push to pass button on the steering wheel with a total of 1350 HP with 0 emissions. Lets MAGA and show the world that the USA is and will always be the world leader in automotive
technology aud it would bring the European car company lovers and all age groups to the
table of American fun. Also we can design and build a Hybrid and call it the XRAY.
There will never be a mid engine production Cadillac. That’s not their target audience.
Without a doubt, much better looking than the C8. Now, I expect an avalanche of thumbs down as C8 owners are style blind.