Cadillac BLS

Infobox Automobile


name = Cadillac BLS
manufacturer = General Motors
production = 2006—present
class = Compact executive car
body_style = 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
layout = FF layout
assembly = Trollhättan, Sweden
platform = GM Epsilon platform
engine = 1.9 L Fiat turbodiesel I4
2.0 L turbocharged "Ecotec" I4
2.8 L "HFV6" V6
length = Auto mm|4680|1
Auto mm|4716|1 (Wagon)
width = Auto mm|1750|1
Auto mm|1752|1 (Wagon)
height = Auto mm|1470|1
Auto mm|1543|1 (Wagon)
related = Fiat Croma
Chevrolet Malibu
Opel Insignia
Opel Signum
Opel Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saturn Aura
similar = Alfa Romeo 159
Audi A4
BMW 3 Series
Lexus ES
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Volvo S40The Cadillac BLS is a compact executive car designed specifically for the European market by the Cadillac marque of General Motors. The car is based on GM's Epsilon architecture and is built in the same plant in Trollhättan, Sweden, that builds the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5. Sales began on March 2006, with a station wagon joining the line for 2007. Though originally designed for the European market, the BLS was introduced to the Arabian, Mexican, South African, and South Korean markets for the 2007 model year.The car has so far not been a huge success, however. For instance, in 2007, Cadillac sold a total of 282 cars on the German market (in a market totalling 3.15 million annual sales) [auto "motor und sport", #3/2008, p.13] , and in 2006, just 3,257 cars left the factory in Sweden, followed by 2,772 in 2007 [Both figures: "Automobil Revue", catalog 2008, p. 47] .

Features

A range of engines are available in the BLS: one diesel engine, a 1.9 L turbocharged four-cylinder, and two petrol (gas) engines, a 2.8 L turbocharged V6, and a 2.0 L available with two power levels.

At Auto in|184.3|0 in overall length, the BLS is almost six inches shorter than the CTS, the smallest Cadillac available in North America.

Engines:
* 1.9 L Fiat turbodiesel I4 16v, 150 hp (110 kW)
* 1.9 L Fiat turbodiesel I4 16v, 180 hp (132 kW) (2007-)
* 2.0 L "Ecotec" I4, low-output turbo, 175 hp (129 kW)
* 2.0 L "Ecotec" I4, high-output turbo, 210 hp (154 kW)
* 2.0 T FlexPower 200 hp (147 kW)
* 2.8 L "HFV6" V6, turbo, 250 hp (184 kW)

econd generation

In 2005, General Motors vice chairman, Robert Lutz, announced that a second-generation BLS would be sold worldwide starting in 2010. It will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany and will in Lordstown, Ohio, at General Motors' Lordstown Assembly. Its name will likely change (possibly ATS) to fit in with the rest of the Cadillac lineup of cars (CTS, STS, DTS).

References

External links

* [http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=1482 Parker's BLS Review]
* [http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/cadillac-bls-1005077.html Cadillac BLS Yahoo Cars Overview]
* [http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review/cadillac-bls-saloon/778/ WhatCar.Com BLS Review]
* [http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/11058/upfront-news-2006-cadillac-bls.html Car and Driver Article on BLS Debut]
* [http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/roadtests/65588/cadillac_bls.html Auto Express Review BLS 2.0T]
* [http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=1072&description=Cadillac%20BLS VerdictOnCars.com Review]
* [http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-bls-forum-europe-south-africa/ Cadillac BLS Discussions]