New Cadillac BLS

[FOCUSTDCI]

Not sure what platform this new Cadillac sit's on, but this is Cadillac's new Mid-Size car that will be aimed at Europe. It will also be sold in RHD as well as LHD, making it a starter for Australia you would think, plus it will come with 3 petrol engines and a Turbo Diesel.

Another awesome looking Cadillac!! They really have hit the right note with their design's!!





Source: AutoIndex

[PaulST]

Apparently, it's based on the Vectra platform. So um... where does GM expect to fit the Torana platform in? If anything, I would have expected it to go under this.

Is this a concept, or production, because those wheels are shockers!

[anglia diesel]

If it's RWD it can't be on Vectra.

THis is the car they need to get right. What this does is create a Bread and Butter model that the Dealers need to get throughput - making money on the sales of course but also generating a car parc for them to make service dollars.

This car is what they need for Australia to Launch - so bring it on.

car looks fine but interior is not premium - Bad - those round Bangle Dials are BMW awful and the silver box of stuff just looks ridiculous. Is Audi the only company that knows how to design interiors (maybe VW judging by the new Passat)

I also think they messed up with the engines:

1.9 tdi
2.0 petrol 4
2.8 HFV6

the problem is there is no small capacity 6 in there - the car they need to beat is BMW 320, Audi A4 2.0 turbo - talking 180-200 horse-ish. BMW 318, Audi A4 2.0 are cars that survive because of the fine repuations of their bigger engine brothers who are affordable enough to create the legends - polarising the engines like that would get them nowhere - the 2.8 should be priced high - that car should be the top of the line BLS and set a high standard, and then have something in the middle. Trollhatten may be the place to look - if they don't they will fail.

[anglia diesel]

I'd reckon this would be the basis for Torana if there is such a thing - it may be on that Zeta platform or whatever the smaller RWD one is.

unless it's all or front wheel drive... a Caddy FWD?

[Kraken]

Quote: Originally Posted by anglia diesel

I'd reckon this would be the basis for Torana if there is such a thing - it may be on that Zeta platform or whatever the smaller RWD one is. unless it's all or front wheel drive... a Caddy FWD?

Previous STS and current DTS are FWD.

This Caddy is their bid for the small/mid size platform. Torana is Holden's bid, and Saturn have one in the works also. Not sure what is happening in Europe.

From what I have seen, Torana not only looks better, but has a better platform. I could see Holden and Caddy joining forces to work together (as they are on the VE platform). I do like this Cad, but would much prefer Torana.

[PaulST]

Source: Goauto.com.au E-News
Author: TERRY MARTIN

Quote:

EXTENDING its reach across the world, Cadillac will show at Geneva a concept version of its new front-drive premium small-medium sedan built for Europe and other markets. Dubbed the BLS and based on GM’s Epsilon architecture, the BLS is expected to go on sale in Europe next year with a Holden-built 2.8-litre V6 engine and a Fiat-GM Powertrain 1.9-litre turbo-diesel among the available engines. Two 2.0-litre four-cylinder versions will also be sold. Engineers have placed heavy emphasis on the ride comfort and cabin refinement, while the exterior design – from the front end, at least – is immediately recognisable as a modern Cadillac. Critical dimensions include 4680mm overall length, 1762mm width and 1449mm height. A final version should materialise at the Frankfurt auto show in September. GM has confirmed that production will be carried in right-hand drive as well as LHD, meaning its prospects as part of an Australian Caddy range are rather good.

[anglia diesel]

Front wheel Drive is not good enough at the top - I've been hearing AWD and I'd expect nothing less. Worst case scenario is the US where it has to succeed to get any volume as it will be nothing but a fettish in Europe. It will get eaten alive in the US by Inifiniti G35, Audi A4 3.2 quattro, BMW 330ix and Benz C350 4 Matic - all (and I am guessing the new Acura and Lexus models also) will offer AWD and the standard will be set.

If they don't go AWD it's suicidal. If they are spending money on a Cadillac for Europe they are on drugs.

[Christopher]

Quote: Originally Posted by anglia diesel

the problem is there is no small capacity 6 in there - the car they need to beat is BMW 320, Audi A4 2.0 turbo - talking 180-200 horse-ish. BMW 318, Audi A4 2.0 are cars that survive because of the fine repuations of their bigger engine brothers who are affordable enough to create the legends - polarising the engines like that would get them nowhere - the 2.8 should be priced high - that car should be the top of the line BLS and set a high standard, and then have something in the middle. Trollhatten may be the place to look - if they don't they will fail.

Maybe they could use the 2.0 Turbo 4 out of the new Astra SRi, 147kw and 260Nm could be useful.

[anglia diesel]

Quote: Originally Posted by Christopher

Maybe they could use the 2.0 Turbo 4 out of the new Astra SRi, 147kw and 260Nm could be useful.

sounds like a good plan.

[Rexacious]

I don't think GM have a small capacity 6cylinder anywhere. The Vectra's used to come with a 2.6 V6, but since the C series, the V6 are 3.2 and designed for east-west mounting only.....

[anglia diesel]

Just seeing some of the internation news come in Wards are saying this is a Badge Engineered Saab and confirm it for Europe only.

What a ****ing waste of time - this segment has the potential to generate a lot of activity for the Brand but they do 2 stupid things - put a badge that is no better than Saab to the rest of the world on a Saab - how that will help in a place like Australia I don't know, and secondly they think people in Europe will prefer a Cadillac Badge over a Saab Badge for the same car- not realising Europeans are not that stupid and generally (at least the French and the Germans) dont like America at the moment.

Stupid.

I just hope they still have a long term goal to do something useful based on the Torana concept.

[PC5]

It's interesting to note that Cadillac have registered the names BLS, BRX, BLC, BLW in both Australia and New Zealand, along with several European countries.

The car looks fantastic IMO, the interior isn't quite classy enough, but the exterior is fine.

[turbo nick]

Bloody terrible... There's not ONE good looking Caddy these days IMO.

[CortinaD]

Quote: Originally Posted by anglia diesel

I'd reckon this would be the basis for Torana if there is such a thing - it may be on that Zeta platform or whatever the smaller RWD one is. unless it's all or front wheel drive... a Caddy FWD?

I hope your not refering to the Lightburn Zeta

[anglia diesel]

Quote: Originally Posted by CortinaD

I hope your not refering to the Lightburn Zeta

May as well be - I'd be about as interested in a Saab that looks like a caddy that as I would be in a Washing machine that looks like a car (a bit)