Cadillac body part

2004 Cadillac XLR

In less than 30 seconds the new Cadillac XLR transforms from coupe to a rocket roadster. GM selected the German based Car Top Systems to engineer and produce the retractable hardtop system and it is nothing short of an electro-hydraulic marvel. The precisely programmed choreography of body panels calls upon eight hydraulic cylinders powered by an electric pump to complete the opening or closing cycle. The opening sequence begins with raising the rear decklid with sturdy scissor arms. Because of the XLR styling, it was impractical to simply hinge the rear of the decklid just above the rear bumper as CTS has done with other systems for other carmakers.

With the decklid raised, the roof top and back window fold back in a clam shell manner into the trunk cavity. The quarter windows then fold inward followed by three separate tonneau panels which function to conceal the entire retraction mechanism and roof related panels. The XLR is a high profile, high price automobile and all parts have tight tolerances to ensure proper sealing under all weather conditions. And they also must have a class A finish. Sweating the details on the tonneau panels, for example, a special new ultra violet (UV) sealer is being applied to prevent gassing on the edges of these panels.

Jackson blasts urban farming, jokes about theft of his SUV in Detroit

The Rev. Jesse Jackson today called urban farming 'foolish' and said he regrets that the theft of his SUV in Detroit last month captured more attention than his two-week tour across the state touting the green energy industry.

August 2010 Auto Sales

Things had been plugging along pretty well. Not great, mind you, but decent. The spring was looking hopeful; June fell back a bit; but then we saw a mild comeback in July.

Test Car Notes: 2010 Infiniti G37x Coupe Watches the Weather

You can get real-time weather reports in several cars. It's available in the Cadillac CTS , for example, and Ford offers it through Sirius Travel Link .