High-Speed Pursuit Just Got a Lot More Efficient

Vancouver, British Columbia, considered the jewel of the Pacific, is a city nestled among the snow-capped mountains of the Coastal Range and the sparkling blue waves of the Pacific Ocean. Vancouver, with its many distinctive communities and highly diverse population, is policed by 1,100 fine men and women in blue. Commanding the human blue-wave is Chief Constable Jamie Hamilton Graham of the Vancouver Police Department.

Overseeing an organization of 1,100 gun-toting police officers places Chief Graham among the top power brokers in the city. Recently, however, 320 horsepower, in the form of a 2004 Cadillac XLR, was added to the Chiefs short term command. You see, in addition to the passion he brings to running one of North Americas most progressive, leading edge

For a short time Cadillacs new XLR was added to the Vancouver Police departments fleet. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

While the Chief put the XLR through the rigors of street-level policing, confined or should we say jailed in the bottom level of the police parkade was the black Ford Crown Victoria that serves as his regular set of

Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham, a true car enthusiast, was more then happy to take the XLR for a street-level policing test-drive. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

After 34 years of policing, Chief Graham hasnt lost his zeal for chasing down the "bad guy," its just that the XLR has accelerated this

At a 0-60 mph time of only 5.9 seconds, catching the "bad guys" was made a lot easier. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Beneath its sharply creased sheet metal, the Cadillac XLR is based on the very competent and highly praised chassis of the C5 Corvette. This rigid foundation supports one of the best looking automotive bodies to come out of North America in a very long

The XLR is powered by a re-worked, 320-hp 32-valve Northstar 4.6 liter V8 that now features variable valve timing. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

And to ensure our superhero, or police chief, can effectively triumph over evil the XLR is powered by a re-worked, 32-valve Northstar 4.6 liter V8 that now features variable valve timing. The 320 growly horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque mustered up by the rev happy Northstar is channeled through a 5-speed autobox that can also be shifted manually by those who prefer their own "shift logic" to that of the Hydra-Matic 5L50-E.

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