Test Drive Cadillac BS since 2006 Sedan

European Middle

Large cars in Europe are not very complaining. It affects the closest cities and the eternal desire to save on fuel, which only makes what is becoming more expensive. Probably, therefore, to reach the hearts of European customers, General Motors decided to offer the old light product prestigious, but in the more compact packaging of Cadillac-BLS. In 2005, he was shown on the Motor Show in Frankfurt, and this spring was provided to journalists for test. Under the collapse of a solid brand chose a place for the presentation of Nice.
Luxury for middle class
In the rays of the Sun, which in the azure coast, it seems, never hiding in the clouds, the angular silhouette of the younger Cadillac plays with sharp lines of the body. Compare it with large and famous counterparts, so I want to call BLS an angular teenager. But, given the high origin, equipping with powerful motors from 150 to 255 hp, the language does not turn. Yes, and dimensions are not so small: with a length of 4680 mm and a width of 1750, a new five-seater Cadillac weighs one and a half tons.
The car is clearly standing out in the stream of French cars. First, it is a sedan, and here the hatchbacks are clearly dominated here, and secondly, the eye is more familiar more rounded forms. Of course, the tastes do not argue but still what impression BLS will leave in the hearts of Europeans? For example, a French driver who drove me on the same Cadillac to the airport, noticed that in these parts the American cars are generally rare. So Jeem marketers will have a serious job. Think about: isn't it easier to sell Opel Vectra or Saab 9-3 in Europe. After all, they are built on the same GM Epsilon platform as BLS, collected by the way, on one with a conveyor sabab in Swedish Trollhattan.
But Cadillac sounds solid, the American chic and scope is heard here. It is worth remembering the story: the overseas brand has the most European roots. After all, they called the car in honor of the founder of Detroit, the Frenchman Antoine de La Motheyaka (Antoine De La Mothe Cadillac). So a small cadyllac in Europe can fully come to the yard. And in the middle class should be your American suite!
Europe closer diesel
As you know, half the fleet of Western Europe make up passenger cars with diesel engines. Without such a motor, Americans with their love for gasoline in the old world there is nothing to do. Therefore, BLS Diesel appeared until the only Cadillac in the whole model range. It is not difficult to guess that under the hood at the youngest of Caddy Saabov turbocharged diesel power of 150 hp However, is it only Saabovsky? Exactly such a motor developed by Ji-Em together with a fiatat is established on many models of Opel from Astra to Zafir and Signum, where he has proven perfectly. Fiatovsky cars are also completed. It was diesel in combination with a manual box that was the Cadillac-BLS who had given me.
I am comfortable more comfortable in the driver's seat: electrical adjustments of the pillow and the back of the seat make it easier for the task. But here the lumbar stop button is clearly saved. For the machine, positioned in the premium segment, this is a clear deficiency.
In the contrast with appearance in the interior, rounded, smooth lines dominate. Of the common style, the steel rectangle of the shooting clock is slightly falling in the heart of the front panel. The leather-covered trunk steering wheel with the control buttons made on it reminds Saabovsky. But a large emblem in the center does not leave doubt that you are in an expensive American car.
Diesel works quite quietly, however, with his launch, the feeling of impulvity passes.
Roads over the coast
On the mountain serpentines of the French riviera will not relax: turns are steep, and the canvas road is narrow. On other devias you have to give a warning signal in order to safely disperse with the counter. Such closed turns psychologically exhaust even more than the intensive work of the steering wheel and manipulate the gear shift lever.
! POIC4! Suspension and steering settings BLs deserve praise. The car passes turns without unnecessary rolls, obeying the driving hand moving. I liked the behavior of the little Cadillac and on the mountain road, and in the city stream, and on the motorway. Perhaps played his role the size of the same, beyond which the wealthy people arise a desire to hire a driver. It took into account the test organizers, offering rather complicated, winding tracks to show this cadillac perfectly feels and away from direct like string, American Highweev.
In front of me, colleagues from Lebanon were driving on the most powerful from Cadillac-BLs with a six-cylinder engine 255 hp and automatic box. My Diesel confidently kept behind them. The engine turnover was constantly about 34 thousand revolutions, but the noise into the salon was barely penetrated. I did not lag behind and on the track, despite the faceted forms of the body, the baby did not bother with aerodynamic noise. In any case, with 130 km / h permitted on French highways.
And what in Russia?
Of course, in Russia, the positions of gasoline engines are traditionally stronger. They are quieter and problems with them in winter less. Due to mistrust to the local diesel engineer, count on the appearance of diesel BLS, spending 6 liters per hundred, not yet. Gasoline Ba el-eski should be expected at the end of summer. The price of them is not yet defined, but it will not be at least 30 thousand euros. Why euro? Well, so Cadillac is European.
With the advent of the BLS model Cadillac declares the desire to play middle class and not only in America.
Robert Lutz, Vice President General Motors
As for style, BLs typical American Cadillac. But from the point of view of brake techniques, chassis, steering is a completely European car. The American team of developers worked closely with specialists from Europe. Adjusting the chassis, brakes, steering, as well as the power unit were engaged in European centers.
The best engineers worked hard on the creation of BLS. I hope he will like buyers all over the world. And one more detail: at the moment it is the smallest Cadillac. But we think about the project of an even smaller machine. Western Europe, Russia and Ukraine will also be the markets for her. BLS has a good chance of success in Russia. This is the first Cadillac, which from the very beginning was designed as an international car. All previous Cadillaci were mainly American and subsequently adapted for other countries. And this created an international team, focusing on Europe. I personally very satisfied with the result.
 

 

Vladimir Solovyov

Source: Journal "Behind the wheel"