Now you can drive like Jordan, too  by Thom Blackett

Cadillac is achieving lots of firsts with its 2006 lineup of V-series performance vehicles. The STS-V sedan is the most powerful Cadillac ever produced, while the XLR-V hardtop convertible is the quickest Caddy ever sold to the public. The XLR-V is also recognized as the first domestic car to join Michael Jordan’s fleet of envied exotic cars. The former NBA star recently took delivery of the first retail Cadillac XLR-V.

Despite a $100,000 price tag, the extremely tight supply of 2006 Cadillac XLR-Vs is expected to be snapped up quickly.

Power for the 2006 Cadillac XLR-V comes from a Northstar 4.4-liter, 32-valve, dual overhead cam, supercharged V8 pushing 443 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 414 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm. A six-speed automatic with a manual mode is the only available transmission.

Thanks to its supercharged engine and upgraded components, zero to 60 mph acceleration is achieved in only 4.6 seconds, making the 2006 XLR-V the fastest production model ever produced by Cadillac. Furthermore, lateral acceleration of 0.94 g’s rivals supercars costing thousands more, body roll has been cut by 13 percent, and a 12-percent bump in steering response helps out in those quick S curves. Clearly, going fast in a straight line is only one of this Caddy’s tricks.Under the 2006 Cadillac XLR-V’s skin is a performance-tuned suspension with double wishbones and stabilizer bars front and rear, while a Magnasteer speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system keeps the driver connected to the road

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