Cadillac BLS world premiere - review car at Geneva Motor Show 2005

The Cadillac BLS is specifically targeted to meet the needs of European and other global market customers.

The four-door sedan (length/width/height: 4,680/1,762/1,449 mm), with its clear, sharply defined contours, striking wedge shape and elegant interior continues Cadillac's characteristic design language. The preview model provides a clear indication of what can be expected from the new Cadillac BLS, which is scheduled to reach the European market in spring 2006 and is currently under consideration for export to the Middle East.

"Premium is not a question of vehicle size but purely of excellence," said said Bob Lutz, responsible at GM for product development and Chairman of GM North America. "And in this aspect, the Cadillac BLS will definitely be a top player in its league."

Among the particular strengths of this front-wheel drive sedan, apart from its expressive design, are its outstanding ride and acoustic comfort. From a technical point of view, this Cadillac will ring in a new era in brand history: for the first time, a turbo diesel variant will be available. Like the gasoline versions, the turbo diesel variant will be positioned at the upper end of the performance scale. Cadillac BLS will offer the dynamic driving performance customers have come to expect from this brand. For countries where the traffic moves on the left like the United Kingdom, the Cadillac BLS will also be available in right-hand drive.

The Cadillac BLS show car is thus immediately recognizable as a member of the Cadillac family. "The most striking feature is the emphasis of the vertical lines on the front and rear," says GM Designer Chip Thole, who led the design team for the new Cadillac BLS. "The characteristic v-form of the chrome-plated grill is picked up again by the trunk lid. The large side faces communicate a sense of strength and solidity." Nineteen-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels underline the impressive looks of the show car.

The unique style is further expressed by clear glass, vertically positioned headlamps featuring bi-xenon technology, fog lamps integrated into the body-coloured bumper and a wide air intake below the radiator grill. Another high-quality detail is the thin chrome strip running along the lower edge of the side windows. The very latest LED technology is used in the full width centre high mounted brake light, which is prominently positioned on the trunk lid. The vertically positioned tail lights add to the various design elements making Cadillac BLS another uniquely designed Cadillac.

Inside, the show car has many details that signal its affinity to the Cadillac family. The cockpit of Cadillac BLS is underlined by details like the three-spoke steering wheel and the analogue clock on the centre console. The displays for the circular instruments have white numerals on black background, while the needles are red. All the seat surfaces are covered with high quality leather, with the visible stitching emphasizing quality. The outlets for the ventilation/air conditioning adopt the brushed aluminium look used for the frame of the centre console.

The modern infotainment system consists of high-quality audio units from BOSE, DVD-based navigation with touch screen operation, Bluetooth-capable telephone systems and remote controls on the steering wheel.

To comply with the needs of the European market, a turbo diesel variant will, for the first time, be added to the list of available engines. The 1.9-litre four-cylinder unit with common-rail direct injection technology will feature a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter that will comply with Euro 4 emission standards. The range of gasoline engines - all of which are turbo-charged - will comprise two 2.0-litre four-cylinder versions equipped with 210 horsepower and 300lb-feet of torque and one 2.8-litre six-cylinder unit, with 260 horsepower. All the power units can be combined with either manual or automatic transmissions and all excel with Cadillac's typical high output.

The chassis, with a McPherson strut in front and a four-link rear axle is tuned to the powerful engines and the high demands that are made on a premium vehicle. "The development of the chassis was focused to enable dynamic driving, but at the same time ensuring a ride with comfort," explains Larry Craig, who, as Program Engineering Manager, shared responsibility for the engineering of the Cadillac BLS.

"Apart from that, we also devoted attention to achieving effective noise and vibration isolation. Environmental influences are, as far as possible, kept away from the passengers." A number of measures have been taken to achieve this, and both the diesel and the gasoline engines will reap the benefits. The rear axle and the chassis, for example, are decoupled from one another with the aid of special rubber bushings, and the wheelhouses, roof and trunk are especially sound-insulated.

"Cadillac is definitely in the fast lane, with 2004 with sales figures in the Middle East luxury market increasing by 50% region-wide on 2003 and the US market experiencing its best sales figures since 1990," said Fadi Ghosn, regional marketing manager for Premium Brands, General Motors. "With the BLS, Cadillac will add a premium mid sedan to its international model range that is geared to the specific demands of European customers. The new entry-level model underlines the brand's global ambitions and its key role in the premium segment."