I also heard the same "faux-wood trim" comment for the 300C.

 

In fact, GM will be increasing production to keep up with demand:
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=100563

 

Comedy, my friend, high comedy. Let's look at the 2004 Corvette which has a base price of $44,245 vs 75,835 for the XLR. That's a $31,000 difference. Not quite double, but still a big #.
But wait, the base Corvette IS NOT A CONVERTIBLE. So since we cannot compare apples to apples, let's at least try a tomato. At least it's the same color!
Base Corvette convertible is $52,245 vs the 75,835 XLR. Hmmm $23,000 Isn't quite twice the price, but that's still a lot of cheese.
Let's look a little closer. The base Corvette convertible has many options that are STANDARD on the XLR. In fact, the ONLY extra cost option on the XLR is the $325 XM satellite radio, bringing the "fully loaded" price of the XLR to a whopping $76,975 with destination. A fully loaded Corvette convertible with the $2955 1SB option Package, $1995 Power Convertible top, $1,695 Magnetic Selective Ride Control, $1400 Sound System with Navigation, $1295 Polished Wheels, $695 Onstar, $395 3.15 Performance Rear Axle Ratio, and $325 XM Satellite Radio comes to $63,000 With destination.
OK. Now that we are comparing almost "like" vehicles, its the $63,000 Vette Conv vs. the $76,975 XLR. Hmm 14,000 sure isn't double. For not much more than the vette, you start rubbin' elbows in a whole different class, you know the one the SL, BMW 6 series, and lexus SC430 reside. Those cars are about a whole lot more than horsepower.