The BLS: Cadillac Continues Global Growth

[Guest Josh]

Four-door premium mid-size sedan
Three gasoline and one turbodiesel engines delivering 150 to 255 hp
uropean start of sales planned for spring 2006

Frankfurt - The Cadillac global product offensive is in high gear. Following the launch of the CTS in 2003, the XLR and the SRX in 2004, the STS in 2005, and the recently announced addition of the STS-V and XLR-V, the General Motors premium brand will debut the production Cadillac BLS at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. This new premium mid-size sedan adds another important element to Cadillac’s growing international presence.

The front-wheel drive BLS offers expressive design, outstanding ride and acoustic comfort. It also marks a new era in the brand’s history, with its first turbodiesel variant and is fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter. Like the gasoline versions (175, 210, and 255 hp), the turbodiesel (150 hp) offers the dynamic driving performance that customers have come to expect from Cadillac.

“The BLS was developed for luxury customers, with particular attention to the demands of the European and other international markets,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “BLS is an important addition to our Cadillac portfolio, it provides a critical entry with which to grow our business in key international markets.”


The exterior: Unique Cadillac style

The Cadillac BLS design was conceived by an international team of designers led by GM’s Vice President of Design Ed Welburn. The vehicle has clear, sharply defined contours, striking wedge shape and an elegant interior.

“The most striking feature is the vertical lines at the front and rear,” said Welburn. “The V-shaped chrome-plated grille, a Cadillac cue, is picked up again by the trunk lid. The large side faces communicate a sense of strength and solidity.”

The BLS also features jewel-like headlamps, fog lamps integrated into the body-colored bumper and a wide air intake below the grille. A narrow chrome strip runs along the lower edge of the side windows. The latest LED technology is used in the center high-mounted brake light, which is prominently positioned on the trunk lid and extends across the vehicle. It also functions as a spoiler. The vertical taillights leave no doubt the BLS is a Cadillac.

The interior: A luxurious atmosphere and state-of-the-art infotainment systems

The BLS interior is highlighted by a three-spoke leather steering wheel and an analog clock in the center stack. The circular instruments have white numerals and red
needles on a black background.

The state-of-the-art infotainment systems include high-quality audio units from American hi-fi specialist Bose, among others, a DVD navigation system with touchscreen operation, a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone system with a handsfree kit, and remote controls on the steering wheel.

The engines: One turbodiesel and three gasoline engines

In a Cadillac first, the BLS will be available with a turbodiesel variant. The 1.9L four-cylinder unit, with common-rail direct injection technology and 150 hp, is fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter and complies with Euro 4 emissions standards. The range of gasoline engines – all turbo-charged – includes two 2.0L four-cylinder versions (175/210 hp) and a high-tech 2.8L six-cylinder unit at 255 horsepower with twin-scroll turbocharger and variable phasing of the intake camshafts. The BLS offers five- or six-speed manual transmissions and five- or six-speed automatic transmissions, depending on engine type.

The chassis: Emphasis on comfort and driving dynamics

The chassis, which has McPherson struts in front and a four-link rear axle, is designed for the powerful engines and the high demands of a premium vehicle. The chassis tuning ensures dynamic handling performance without compromising comfort.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 323,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.

[Bimmer325]

Simply put, it looks truly awful in that picture.

[Drew Dowdell]

It looks like a Malibu with a Cadillac badge thrown on the front.... which I suppose is fair since the Catera looked like a previous gen Malibu with a Cadillac badge on the front.

[Northstar]

The exterior looks okay, but I'm still not sure I like those headlights too well. The interior looks pretty good with exception of the shift gate, and I like the steering wheel pretty well. The materials look pretty good from what I can see (they look nicely textured). I wouldn't want those engine choices in America, but for Europe they should be okay. I'm guessing that will be the same NAV in the Aura, Solstice/Sky (if they get it), and a lot of other cars that get the new radio.

[4gm]

God, I hate this car. It looks terrible. The people at GM have their head in the clouds if they think this car can make a big splash in Europe. Better luck next time. At least it has a nice interior.

[CSpec]

There are too many obvious 9-3 bits.

[jbartley]

these are really bad angles in the pics, so that doesn't help the visual either. where are the stacked running lamps/fog lights that i thought were part of the design language - that bothers me.

[bobo]

The car has some nice details, but taken together, they make it look like a Korean knock-off of a Cadillac.

[Cory Wolfe]

It looked much better in the first pics... Damn photographers. <_<

[sciguy_0504]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[Northstar]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[post="6345"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I think it looks pretty good except for a detail here and there, and I don't like the headlights wrapping around to the side of the car too much.

[Paolino]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[post="6345"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

No, I like it a bit. I mean, I would tweak the interior a bit and the exterior as well, it kinda looks bubbly-shaped in those pics, but it's not too bad.

If it was offered in the US for like 25, I'd take it over a LaCrosse.

[daves87rs]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[post="6345"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Nope, I like it too.

I think when the BLS gets here, it will mean the end of the DTS...

[jd2b]

I really really like the interior, the gear selector could use a little chrome, but other than that it is very excellent for a car priced as this one will be.

[MyerShift]

I just don't care for the name, BLS. It makes me think: The Cadillac BulLS**t Sedan.

[SoCalCTS]

what a nice Saturn Aura.... Oh wait, that's the BLS.

[Ultra Magnus]

Overall it's a nice car. Since it won't be coming here soon, lets hope the Europeans like it.

[Sixty8panther]

Okay lets' put aside for a minute the fact that it's FWD. The styling is pretty awkward. Perhaps an illegitemate child of a SAAB 9\3 and a CTS... but the damn thing does not have that Caddy look to it. A true 21st Century valiant attempt at an entry-level luxury car! <_<

[VenSeattle]

I really can't see how someone not grossly familiar with SAAB 9-3 would know the BLS is related (how many can there be... honestly). There's very little shared inside & out that would actually hint to the design not being original to the BLS. Sure it's a compact & FWD, but a lot of premium European cars are. It looks good to me. I think it would look better in a different color. The blue that it originally debuted in was very nice.

[ToniCipriani]

Let's make it this way. I say it's not suited for North America. Enough said. It would be OK to have it in the narrower streets of Europe and Asia though. I'd take it over my dad's Volvo any day.

[turbo200]

The interior has too many pieces from the 9-3, and I'm sure GM will turn around and put this exact interior into a refreshed 9-3, since the refreshed 9-5 is similar in theme to this. The outside I'm not so fond of, it's probably the angles, but it just looked so much better in concept form, and I'm afraid the rims really did make a lot of the difference. It just doesn't look so good from these pictures, and I do agree with a lot here that it looks like a Malibu with a Caddy badge because of the overall similar profile.

[Enzora]

It looks like someone took a bunch of pictures of a CTS, cut them up into several pieces, then glued them back together unevenly to make a new design. It wouldn't make a bad art project, but looks horrible as a car.

[Viperfan07]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[post="6345"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

No I like it too. It brings a smile to my face when I look at it. I love the sharpness it has and it should do well in Europe. But I agree the headlights look too big for it and its missing the fog lights. IMHO every car needs fog lights. They make the car look better.

[nightcourtrules]

A true 21st Century valiant attempt at an entry-level luxury car!  <_<

[post="6499"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

That's what I was thinking. This Caddy is awkward looking, & weird IMO.

[ZL-1]

I like it, but: 1. Where are the front foglamps? 2. I was hoping for more power from the diesel engine, to differentiate it from the version sold in Fiats/Opels/Saabs.

[LosAngeles]

There are too many obvious 9-3 bits.

[post="6225"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

The greenhouse of the doors standing out at the top of that list.

[z28luvr01]

I agree with Ven. Looking at it as an average consumer, it's hard to tell that the BLS is even remotely related to the 9-3. This car is fine for what it is, a smallish entry designed to help Caddy develop a presence in Europe. The current CTS is too big to do that. Perhaps when the new (and supposedly smaller) CTS debuts, this car won't be needed anymore.

[cavalier36]

this car would ok for the U.S. market but it looks too much like a Malibu. if it was coming to the U.S and Canada id rather see it as a Buick. Buick could use this car more than Cadillac in the United States... the CTS is the smallest car Cadillac should do in north america..

[RBB]

The interior has too many pieces from the 9-3

[post="6575"][/post]

?






I see the guage cluster and the shift knob. The steering wheel is the same, but had a different horn/airbag cover, which is OK by me.

Overall, they look very different. The typical shopper won't see the similarities, IMO.

-RBB

[frogger]

Im those exterior pics looks like a typical small midsize sedan with a caddy badge up front :-(. About as upscale as a Jetta.

[Robert Hall]

GM needs this in the US..offer it in FWD and AWD versions, aim it at the A4, TL, Maxima, S40... Keep the CTS to compete with the 3-series, C-class, G35 and IS.. Cadillac could then address the FWD, AWD, and RWD compact sport sedan market. Edited September 1, 2005 by moltar

[Flybrian]

Seriously, guys, its fine. And the next person to mention valiant attempt at an entry-level luxury car is getting their ass kicked. God, its irritating.

[pow]

I think it'll go well against the TSX and S40 in the US... but then of course, that'll kill 9-3 sales.

[Northstar]

I really don't like the idea of the BLS coming to the US. It's fine for Europe as they really like small cars, but I'd rather see the CTS shrunk 3 or so inches to allow some breathing room between it and the STS. If Cadillac was to get a car below the CTS, I'd like it to be similar in concept to the Torana concept. I just don't like thinking about a FWD Cadillac when almost all Cadillacs are RWD now and that strategy has been working well.

[balthazar]

God, that saab interior SUCKS! What a fussy, busy mess. I don't like the BLS at all. I don't think it's bad as an entry-level european vehicle, but God forbid it comes to the States; it ain't no Cadillac. The detail that bothers me the most is the absence of the 'shuttered' eggcrate grille, ALA the CTS. That, and it really doesn't look very upscale. Given the vote, I would not green light it.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Why would anyone buy that here when the CTS is about the same price? I just want the CTS smaller for it to handle better, but I doubt the BLS will handle better than the CTS, even though it is smaller.

[Cory Wolfe]

Well, I love the 9-3's interior... Especially the one shown in October C&D. The BLS isn't bad. The interior looks great. The exterior looks cheap and the greenhouse looks too similar to the 9-3's. I don't think it should come to the US, either. I, too, would like to see a smaller CTS.

[vinz96z]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it.

[post="6345"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

No, I don't have a problem with it either. While I see some hints of the 9-3 and Malibu, none of them are things that I fon't like...

[HarleyEarl]

I like this car. BMW and Mercedes are marketing small cars here, why not Cadillac?....don't be surprised if they bring this to North America.

[jbartley]

BTS would have been a better name, boo.

[HarleyEarl]

I really like the BLS and wish it would come here. It would be a good entry point for beginning Cadillac customers and hopefully they would move up over the years. I don't see any assocation with the Saab. It is very Cadillac to me.

[Northstar]

Wouldn't the BLS start at like $30k anyways since its basically a 9-3? I don't see the point of having it and the CTS. Just make the next CTS have AWD for the snowbelt states and it covers the whole segment. Cadillac doesn't need two similar cars; I'd rather see them add a coupe and convert variant to the CTS or STS and work on the ULS.

[ehaase]

I don't think that Cadillac needs both the BLS and CTS in the U.S. However, with a slightly different grille, the BLS would make a good next generation Buick LaCrosse, in my opinion.

[Cremazie]

It'll grow on all of you. I like it, it appears to have a nice shape for a smaller car!

[Innotech]

I htink it looks fantastic, and you people suck :P

[Sixty8panther]

BTS would have been a better name, boo.

[post="13947"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

BULLSHIT http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif