We were the first to show you shots of the new 2009 Cadillac XLR, now we've taken a jump to ludicrous speed with the first photographic evidence of the 2009 Cadillac XLR-V. The new hotness from Cadillac is getting the same wire-mesh grille we expect from the V-Series, and what looks to be a gigantic Cadillac badge smack-dab in the center of it. And oh yes, did we mention the "supercharged" logo on the side of the new stylin' Caddy? The only question is whether that super-ed-up engine will be the 4.4-liter Northstar V8 (443 HP) or the 6.2-liter LSA V8 (550 HP). Which do you think it should get? Hit the jump for the full spy report from Brenda Priddy's spy photographer and frequent Jalopnik contributor Chris Doane.

2009 Cadillac XLR V-Series

These close-up pictures are of the 2009 Cadillac XLR V-Series. The refreshed XLR V-Series gets moderate changes to the front and rear. We can spot a wire-mesh grill with the big Cadillac badge through the camouflage. We also noticed the big fender vent covered up by the black tape - which is all new , although we're guessing it's a lot like the fender vent on the Provoq concept.

My photographer says "...it may very well continue with the 4.4L, supercharged, Northstar V8 good for 443hp. However there may be somewhat of a chance it will get the LSA motor. This is the motor found in the 2009 CTSv. The LSA is the 6.2L, supercharged, small block V8. It is good for 550hp and 550ftlbs in the upcoming CTSv. Whatever it had, it was crazy fast and had a really raucous exhaust note..."

And, in regards to "catching" this prototype, my photographer observed the following: "This guy was serious about getting away. At one point he got ahead of me and hid behind a 7-11. He thought I didn't see him go back there, but I did. While he was back there, he called up someone and 5 minutes later, there was a bright yellow Mazda RX-8 running interference for him and shadowing my every move while talking to the guy in the XLRv on the cell phone and telling him where I was at..."

They're not making our job easy!!
Photo Credit: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Company

It's nice to see these first spy photos of the 2009 Cadillac XLR mere minutes after we just dropped the hot load of Fierenzo. Essentially the Cadillac XLR is a re-skinned Corvette. A drop-dead gorgeous skin, but still a re-skin. So what have we got on the new hotness with two doors from Caddy? Not much unfortunately. Thanks to the Chicago Tribune, we know the 2009 Cadillac XLR will go public in July, but whether that means it'll be revealed or hit showrooms is anyone's guess. Despite some camouflage, these photos from the spy shooters at KGP do show us the new XLR will get an XL-sized dose of CTSexiness with an enhanced "Art & Science" grille and what may perhaps be the same faux chrome vents affixed to the side of the rest of the Caddy lineup. Doesn't matter, we'd still take one. Especially one with the letter "V" at the end. Even more so if they bring out a ZLR-1. Full spy report from KGP below the jump.

It took shimmying up a tree to get it, but we just nabbed our first spy photos of Cadillac's revamped 2009 XLR roadster. Based on the camouflage and the visible body panels, it appears that the updated XLR will qualify as more of a facelift rather than a fully redesigned vehicle. The February 10, 2008 issue of the Chicago Tribune reported that the reworked XLR will go public in July, but that report wasn't clear whether that date specified an unveiling or an on-sale date.

These new shots don't answer that question, but we can get closer to assessing the scope of the XLR's freshening. The camouflage covering the front and rear fascias hides the details, but it's probably safe to assume that the XLR will get some more, much-needed design nuance in line with the latest CTS—since the XLR is still saddled with the rather unpolished look of Cadillac's first-generation Art & Science design language. The retractable hardtop design looks unchanged, as do the doors and rear fenders. The front fenders, however, have an interesting strip of tape just in fore of the doors' front cut lines, suggesting that some type of fender vent could conceivably be in the works to match the rest of the Cadillac lineup.

Expect thorough mechanical upgrades, and an improved interior commensurate with the XLR's place as Cadillac's answer to the formidable Mercedes SL.