As previewed at the
Geneva Show earlier in the year, Cadillac is entering the mainstream with a new compact saloon aimed at the
BMW 3-series and
Audi A4. The BLS will go on sale across Europe early in 2006, with the UK getting right-hand drive variants at the same time. Prices have yet to be announced.
Being a particularly American brand, Cadillac has never seen the need for diesel engines in its range of luxury cars, but as this range expands downwards it rightfully identified that not having a diesel-powered model would be commercial suicide; witness Jaguar's slow X-type sales until the diesel models were launched. Only one derv option is to be available at launch, a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.9-litre unit with 150bhp (as used throughout Vauxhall's range). There are three petrol engines, all turbocharged. Two 2-litre four cylinders are available with either 175 or 210bhp, and the range is topped by the same 2.8-litre V6 as fitted to the new
Vauxhall Vectra VXR (packing a twin-scroll turbocharger and variable timing on the inlet camshafts), which pushes out 255bhp. There will be five and six speed manuals and automatics depending on engine choice.
Now the bad news, at least for driving enthusiasts: though Cadillac claims that the BLS will be dynamically brilliant, its drive is through the front wheels only, so don't expect a driver's car in the same vein as the 3-series. It will be interesting to see how it copes with the high power output of its turbocharged engines. Sounds more like a Saab than a Cadillac, doesn't it?
Not that you could ever mistake the BLS for a Saab; the Cadillac looks distinctive, certainly next to cars sold in Britain, with prominent body creases and upright lights, though from some angles it has a bit of the Toyota Avensis about it. Inside, the Cadillac has a style of its own, and for that very reason is likely to attract a fair number of new buyers to the American brand.
Shane O' Donoghue - 7 Sep 2005