Test Drive Cadillac BS since 2006 Sedan

Player game

The beginning of the conversation about the new Cadillac car should be devoted to Saab. After all, if this company had walked a little better, the Hero of the BLS publication could not be born.
 

Poor Saab. Whoever he was lately, which only automobile skins for different markets did not try! And as Subaru (model 9-2x on the basis of the Impreza station), and as a large Chevrolet SUV (9-7X on the basis of the TrailBlaizer) was noticed. Now it's forced to turn into Cadillac.
 

By hand, GM, Saab today is perhaps the most obvious victim of automotive globalization. It is good that while this helps the company with a glorious past survive.
 

Take, for example, model 9-3. A stylish car with good sketches, a pleasant salon and a line of excellent turbo travels. The price is quite comparable to competitors. However, sales did not go, the plan was not fulfilled, the factory in Trolhyten works not at full capacity.
 

Such a state of affairs could not inspire the owner of the Swedish company GENERAL MOTORS. Losses are not able to inspire those who tolerate them. As a result, a strategic solution on the basis of Saab 9-3 was built a new car. Called Cadillac BLs and sent to Europe. Well, the course is published, especially remembering the love of General Motors to this kind of operations. But does he meet himself?
 

Externally, BLS has from 9-3 little in common. And this is quite explained. To promote one car in the European market under the guise of the other with minimal changes in the design, limited by new emblems, akin to suicide. Potable Europeans hardly would appreciate this approach. Especially if we are talking about brands with a rich past. Another thing is the Americans who mentioned Subaru-Saab and Chevrolet-Saab are offered exclusively with new nameplates.
 

The unfair person is unlikely to understand that Cadilac BLS Swede, who has suffered a serious plastic surgery. The surgeon accurately and coldly made a modern little Caddy, in corporate style. Only low-end roof line and wheeled arches remained from the base model. Front, feed, doors This is all BLS its own, native. Therefore, the car looks very originally even on everyday silver metallic.
 

It turned out the correct reading of the modern style of Cadillac, taking into account the requirements of the European market. Especially good lighting. Front chopped headlamps and traditional rear vertical lights with strips of LEDs allow you to unmistakably identify the generic affiliation. And no parallel with Saab in appearance.
 

But inside borrowing is more obvious. The first and main three-spoke steering wheel of Saabov form. Strictly speaking, this is the steering wheel from Saab, which was attached to the Cadillac emblem. Personally, this state of affairs was slightly overwhelmed. However, in Russia, Saab cars remain rare birds, and I do not think that the owner of BLS will experience any discomfort on this. Door panels also moved to a new car in its original form (as well as a number of other, less significant parts). Front panel from 9-3. It is only a bit changed in the central part. Naturally, the ignition castle moved from the tunnel between the front chairs in place next to the wheel. But the music and control unit climate control have not changed. The instruments are one to one like Saab, except that the turbocharging pressure indicator is characteristic of the Swedish machines. Instead, there was a beautiful clock at the top of the central console. In general, BLS salon is much less original than appearance.
The car fell to us was equipped with a familiar 2.8-liter V6 with a turbocharger. Power plants and BLS automatic transmission adopted from Saab unchanged. However, the setting of running qualities, as reported, the company's engineers were separately the goal to fit the controllability of the sedan to European standards. Without library to America, which, actually, BLS will not see.
 

Front suspension like a donor: McPherson front, rear multi-dimensional scheme. A variable force hydraulic power was applied in the steering. Does BLS SAABOVSKAGE behavior on the road?
 

Unfortunately, that day, when the car was at our disposal, a full winter came to Moscow. Therefore, from checking behavior of BLS in limit modes I had to refuse. But something still managed to understand: the automatic transmission and the motor act is still simultaneously. However, it is unlikely that they were engaged separately. This tandem was not bad. A large six-cylinder engine with low-pressure turbine is lucky as a locomotive, from the lower range of revolutions. But closer to the red zone, his dust is somewhat fading. But how it is convenient to control the burden! Neither turboes nor tangible delay in responses to work accelerator.
 

And what about the suspension? I did not leave the feeling that I manage the old good Saab. Naturally, in the nuances of Cadillac another. However, the relationship with Saab is detected everywhere, including in the running characteristics of BLS. True, in terms of isolation from external noise, the car is clearly preferable to the donor.
 

The largest steering wheel looks in the compact interior of the car somewhat ridiculous. This is a smaller ram. Perhaps this is the main reproach. Feedback that the hydraulic driver provides, reminds of Saab. The steering wheel is lightweight, it could be rid of a little more informative.
 

The suspension is configured correctly. Small rolls, readiness to smooth out bumps and at the same time clear reactions. Dynamics are excellent! It turns out that the car is really worked on the European rules. However, some highlight in the BLS behavior I could not find. Good, rude car, but some average. It does everything right, but there is no light. However, do not forget about the test conditions. Perhaps in the summer he would give some other results.
 

It remains to answer the main question? Is the game in the case with BLS, which GM leads? The answer is seen by the affirmative. It turned out a high-quality, powerful car with decent handling and original design. And besides, he carries the Cadillac emblem, which causes a large consumer speaker not only in America. There are, of course, in Europe, the SAAB brand fans, which among BLS buyers will definitely not have a similar exercise GM only offend them in the best feelings, but you won't call consumers.
 

The car is sold with three motors. Two 2 liter 175 hp and 210 hp, differing from each other by pressure pressure, and 2.8-liter V6 (255 hp), which is also equipped with a turbine. Double-liter versions have a 5-speed gearbox, with V6 6-speed. CPP type automatic or mechanical to choose from.
 

There are six complete sets, two for each motor. In the cheapest version with a 2-liter motor, we find the front and side PB, the anti-test system, air conditioning, cruise control, CD receivers and 7 speakers, R16 alloy wheels, electric and heating mirrors, power windows, immobilizer, multifunctional leather steering wheel with Music control, brake trim inserts Black Piano and others. The price of such a car is $ 34 100.
 

The test was provided with a car in the most expensive ($ 49 100) configuration with the V6 engine, which included ESP, Bose audio system with CD changer and 9 speakers, front seats with electrically regulating and heated (driver's drive), two-zone climate control, leather Interior with red walnut inserts, rain sensor, R17 alloy discs, folding mirrors, parking sensors, xenon headlights.
 
 
 
 
Ilya Nikolaev
 

Source: Magazine Motor [March 2007]