Cadillac BLS
Cadillac BLS (2006-2010)
The Cadillac BLS was from autumn 2006 until the end of 2010 as a representative of the middle class, the smallest model of the U.S. car manufacturer Cadillac. The synonym BLS stands for Luxury Sedan B- segment.
It has no direct predecessor and is the first and only Cadillac model that was designed specifically for the European market to compete with the German premium products such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes -Benz C-Class. He was also offered in South Africa, Arabia, South Korea and Mexico for sale.
History
The 4.68 meter long car was developed by Saab Automobile on behalf of the then parent company, General Motors and manufactured in Trollhättan Saab factory.
The visual and technical relationship with Saab is to quickly identify in both models. A distinction can be already talking about the so-called " badge engineering ", which is a commonly practiced solution under the direction of GM. Technically, the vehicle is a derivative of 9-3, and as such are also front-wheel drive. The interior was simply taken over from 9-3 for the most part.
First came the fall of 2006 the notchback sedan on the market. In mid-2007 it was supplemented by a wagon version, referred to as Cadillac Wagon.
Cadillac BLS Wagon (2007-2010)
Motors
Motor side, the range is strongly oriented to the motors of the Saab 9-3. The 1.9 - liter four-cylinder is after more than 20 years, the first diesel engine in a Cadillac after was offered already in 1979 an Oldsmobile diesel in the former Cadillac Seville. The common-rail unit is a joint development between Fiat and GM and makes two versions of 110 kW ( 150 hp) and 132 kW (180 hp).
The petrol engines are turbo aggregates of Saab; is offered the 2.0 -liter engine in two power levels with 129 kW (175 hp) and 154 kW (210 hp) and a 2.8 -liter V6 engine, GM - Holden (Australia), with 188 kW ( 255 hp).
Furthermore, a Flexpower mentioned variant of the weaker 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offered that can be fueled with both petrol and E85 and its performance in E85 increases by 18 kW to 147 kW. All engines are available with a six-speed manual or surcharge with a five-speed automatic.
Successor
The BLS was - not a commercial success - even in Germany. In 2007, only 282 copies were sold there. The production of the BLS has been set by Cadillac in the summer of 2009. A total of only 7356 units were produced.
By the end of 2010, the BLS was then produced in Kaliningrad of the Russian Avtotor under license.
His successor ATS was introduced in September 2012 on the U.S. market. The sales in Europe began in late 2012.