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|body_style = 4-door [[saloon (car)|saloon]]<br>5-door [[Estate car|estate]]
|body_style = 4-door [[saloon (car)|saloon]]<br>5-door [[Estate car|estate]]
|layout = [[FF layout]]
|layout = [[FF layout]]
|assembly = [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]]<br/>[[Kaliningrad]], [[Russia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |title=Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили GM |publisher=Avtotor.ru |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210120547/http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |archivedate=2016-02-10 |df= }}</ref>/<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |title=GM 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904192557/http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |archivedate=2011-09-04 |df= }}</ref>
|assembly = [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]]<br/>[[Kaliningrad]], [[Russia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |title=Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили GM |publisher=Avtotor.ru |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210120547/http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |archivedate=2016-02-10 }}</ref>/<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |title=GM 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904192557/http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |archivedate=2011-09-04 }}</ref>
|platform = [[GM Epsilon platform]]
|platform = [[GM Epsilon platform]]
|engine = 1.9 L ''[[JTD engine#1.9|Fiat turbodiesel]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>2.0&nbsp;L [[turbocharged]] ''[[GM Ecotec engine#LK9|Ecotec LK9]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>2.8&nbsp;L ''[[GM High Feature engine#Turbo|HFV6]]'' [[V6]]
|engine = 1.9 L ''[[JTD engine#1.9|Fiat turbodiesel]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>2.0&nbsp;L [[turbocharged]] ''[[GM Ecotec engine#LK9|Ecotec LK9]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>2.8&nbsp;L ''[[GM High Feature engine#Turbo|HFV6]]'' [[V6]]
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The '''Cadillac BLS''' is a [[compact executive car]] that was marketed in [[Europe]] by [[Cadillac]], sharing [[General Motors]]' [[GM Epsilon platform|Epsilon]] architecture, as a restyled variant of the [[Saab 9-3]]. Development was carried out by [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] and the car was manufactured in [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]], alongside the [[Saab 9-3]] and the [[Saab 9-5]]. Sales of the [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]] began in March 2006, with a [[station wagon]] joining the line for 2007. Starting in 2007, the BLS was sold in the [[Middle East]], [[Mexico]], [[South Africa]] and [[South Korea]]. It was never sold in the [[United States]] or in [[Canada]].
The '''Cadillac BLS''' is a [[compact executive car]] that was marketed in [[Europe]] by [[Cadillac]], sharing [[General Motors]]' [[GM Epsilon platform|Epsilon]] architecture, as a restyled variant of the [[Saab 9-3]]. Development was carried out by [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] and the car was manufactured in [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]], alongside the [[Saab 9-3]] and the [[Saab 9-5]]. Sales of the [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]] began in March 2006, with a [[station wagon]] joining the line for 2007. Starting in 2007, the BLS was sold in the [[Middle East]], [[Mexico]], [[South Africa]] and [[South Korea]]. It was never sold in the [[United States]] or in [[Canada]].


BLS production reached 3,257 in 2006<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47"/> and 2,772 in 2007.<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47">''Automobil Revue'', catalog 2008, p. 47</ref><ref>auto ''motor und sport'', #3/2008, p.13</ref> Production ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821094956/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D155287 |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=155287 |title=It's the End of the Line for the Cadillac BLS in Europe |publisher=[[Edmunds Inc.]] |work=Edmunds Inside Line |date=2009-08-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |archivedate=2009-08-21 |first=Anita |last=Lienert |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref>
BLS production reached 3,257 in 2006<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47"/> and 2,772 in 2007.<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47">''Automobil Revue'', catalog 2008, p. 47</ref><ref>auto ''motor und sport'', #3/2008, p.13</ref> Production ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821094956/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D155287 |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=155287 |title=It's the End of the Line for the Cadillac BLS in Europe |publisher=[[Edmunds Inc.]] |work=Edmunds Inside Line |date=2009-08-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |archivedate=2009-08-21 |first=Anita |last=Lienert |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Features==
==Features==
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*[[Evo (magazine)|Evo]] {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/65832/cadillac_bls.html</ref><br>[+] Stylish and quiet<br>[-] Pushes no boundaries.
*[[Evo (magazine)|Evo]] {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/65832/cadillac_bls.html</ref><br>[+] Stylish and quiet<br>[-] Pushes no boundaries.
*[http://www.honestjohn.co.uk Honest John] {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |title=Car-By-Car Reviews - Cadillac BLS (2006 - 2010) |publisher=Honest John |date= |accessdate=2014-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923225146/http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |archive-date=2014-09-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br>Positives: Based on the Saab 9-3 so decent handling. Well proven mechanicals. Saab-grade safety.<br>Negatives: The ride is far from forgiving. Automatic doesn't work well with the V6 turbo, which also has overly light steering.
*[http://www.honestjohn.co.uk Honest John] {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |title=Car-By-Car Reviews - Cadillac BLS (2006 - 2010) |publisher=Honest John |date= |accessdate=2014-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923225146/http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |archive-date=2014-09-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br>Positives: Based on the Saab 9-3 so decent handling. Well proven mechanicals. Saab-grade safety.<br>Negatives: The ride is far from forgiving. Automatic doesn't work well with the V6 turbo, which also has overly light steering.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070319233216/http://www.verdictoncars.com/ Verdict On Cars] {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=1072|title=Cadillac BLS|publisher=Verdict On Cars|date=|accessdate=2014-06-23|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223104937/http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201|archivedate=2005-02-23|df=}}</ref><br>'Average. It's built in Europe, shares most of its underpinnings with a Saab and will never see America - meet the strangest Cadillac ever.'
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070319233216/http://www.verdictoncars.com/ Verdict On Cars] {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=1072|title=Cadillac BLS|publisher=Verdict On Cars|date=|accessdate=2014-06-23|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223104937/http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201|archivedate=2005-02-23}}</ref><br>'Average. It's built in Europe, shares most of its underpinnings with a Saab and will never see America - meet the strangest Cadillac ever.'


==Name==
==Name==

Revision as of 04:15, 2 October 2021

Cadillac BLS
Overview
ManufacturerSaab (General Motors)
Production2005–2009 in Sweden
2009–2010 in Russia
AssemblyTrollhättan, Sweden
Kaliningrad, Russia[1]/[2]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style4-door saloon
5-door estate
LayoutFF layout
PlatformGM Epsilon platform
RelatedFiat Croma
Chevrolet Malibu
Opel Insignia
Opel Signum
Opel Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saturn Aura
Powertrain
Engine1.9 L Fiat turbodiesel I4
2.0 L turbocharged Ecotec LK9 I4
2.8 L HFV6 V6
Transmission5-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Length4,680 mm (184.3 in)
4,716 mm (185.7 in) (Wagon)
Width1,750 mm (68.9 in)
1,752 mm (69.0 in) (Wagon)
Height1,470 mm (57.9 in)
1,543 mm (60.7 in) (Wagon)
Chronology
PredecessorCadillac Cimarron
SuccessorCadillac ATS
BLS Sedan rear
Cadillac BLS Wagon rear

The Cadillac BLS is a compact executive car that was marketed in Europe by Cadillac, sharing General Motors' Epsilon architecture, as a restyled variant of the Saab 9-3. Development was carried out by Saab and the car was manufactured in Trollhättan, Sweden, alongside the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5. Sales of the sedan began in March 2006, with a station wagon joining the line for 2007. Starting in 2007, the BLS was sold in the Middle East, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. It was never sold in the United States or in Canada.

BLS production reached 3,257 in 2006[3] and 2,772 in 2007.[3][4] Production ended in 2009.[5]

Features

The BLS was available with a diesel engine (a 1.9 L turbocharged four-cylinder) and two petrol engines (a 2.8 L turbocharged V6 and a 2.0 L available with two power levels).

At 184.3 in (4,681 mm) in overall length, the BLS was almost six inches shorter than the CTS, the smallest Cadillac that was available in the United States or Canada.

Engines:

Differences from the SAAB 9-3

Though a large percentage of BLS components were shared with the SAAB 9-3, the BLS was differentiated from the 9-3 throughout the exterior and interior.[6]

  • Unique exterior sheetmetal and lighting elements.
  • Different wheel options.
  • Unique upper dashboard design with integrated analog clock between central air vents.
  • Redesigned center console with dual cupholders, eliminate the 9-3s flip-out cupholder.
  • Traditionally-mounted ignition in steering wheel column.
  • Unique instrument cluster gauge design
  • Additional seat stitching
  • Unique head-rests
  • Cadillac logo replaced SAAB logo on engine covers and first-aid kits

Reviews

  • Auto Express [7]
    'The BLS is OK, but offers nothing new in a market overflowing with talent.'
  • Evo [8]
    [+] Stylish and quiet
    [-] Pushes no boundaries.
  • Honest John [9]
    Positives: Based on the Saab 9-3 so decent handling. Well proven mechanicals. Saab-grade safety.
    Negatives: The ride is far from forgiving. Automatic doesn't work well with the V6 turbo, which also has overly light steering.
  • Verdict On Cars [10]
    'Average. It's built in Europe, shares most of its underpinnings with a Saab and will never see America - meet the strangest Cadillac ever.'

Name

The BLS is known by many as the "Bob Lutz Special" - a reference to Vice Chairman Bob Lutz who oversaw all GM product development at the time.[11] Lutz, a supporter of badge engineering, wanted to leverage the SAAB 9-3 to fill holes in Cadillac's product range.

The reference to Bob Lutz can be viewed both as support and as criticism of his strategy. While the BLS was a market failure, many of the techniques of badge engineering employed in the BLS resulted in other GM product successes, most notably a significant improvement in overall passenger car product quality and performance output.

According to GM, BLS stands for "B-segment Luxury Sedan", being in a smaller class than the CTS mid-size sedan. This is consistent with the Seville Luxury Sedan, later known as the Cadillac SLS in China.

References

  1. ^ "Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили GM". Avtotor.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  2. ^ "GM 2009". Archived from the original on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  3. ^ a b Automobil Revue, catalog 2008, p. 47
  4. ^ auto motor und sport, #3/2008, p.13
  5. ^ Lienert, Anita (2009-08-18). "It's the End of the Line for the Cadillac BLS in Europe". Edmunds Inside Line. Edmunds Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  6. ^ "Scandinavian Cadillac: The 2007-2009 Cadillac BLS Wagon". Wagon Source.
  7. ^ "Cadillac BLS". Auto Express. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  8. ^ http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/65832/cadillac_bls.html
  9. ^ "Car-By-Car Reviews - Cadillac BLS (2006 - 2010)". Honest John. Archived from the original on 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  10. ^ "Cadillac BLS". Verdict On Cars. Archived from the original on 2005-02-23. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  11. ^ Hutton, Ray (2006-06-01). "2006 Cadillac BLS". Car & Driver. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
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