Cadillac BLS

The Cadillac BLS is a mechanical model similar to an Opel Vectra or a Saab 9-3, manufactured in the same premises as the 9-3 and the same range of engines.

Is available with four doors and body with bodywork family (Wagon). The BLS measures 4680 mm long, 1752 mm wide and 1471 mm high. Dimensions are very similar to that of a Honda Accord, Mazda6 or a Peugeot 407.

Cadillac is the first diesel-engined, and quality of finish, price and equipment, can be likened to an Audi A4, a BMW 3 Series or a Jaguar X-Type, in addition to a Saab 9-3. It differs from a Saab 9-3 mainly because of its stylish exterior and interior (although there are some elements in common).

Is for sale in Spain from € 29,990 to € 45,990 of the more expensive version (2.8T V6 255cv Sport Luxury Aut 6 vel.). Price of Diesel cheaper version (1.9D 150cv Business) is € 31,340.

The Saab 9-3 with the same diesel engine rather than standard equipment costs € 31,292 (a ratio of 30,000 cars from € 4.5 to 4.8 m, with a diesel engine of 135 to 165 hp). An Audi A4 TDI 140 PS and, above all, a BMW 320D 177 CV are more expensive than a Cadillac BLS.

The Cadillac BLS range has four engines (three petrol and two diesel), all with turbocharged engines. The gasoline is 175, 209 and 256 hp. The Diesel has 150 hp and 180 hp power.

In addition, the BLS has a variant of gasoline with 200 hp power that can use E85 fuel (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline).

According to the engine, carries a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic five or six gears.

There are four versions depending on the equipment: 'Business',' Elegance ',' Sport 'and' Sport Luxury '. Not all combinations are available from engine and equipment (price and equipment throughout the range).

Like 9-3, the BLS is a car that gives an appearance of superior quality to most models of its size. The coating materials are rich and the setting is good. The Cadillac made in Europe seems superior in this respect to Cadillac manufactured in the U.S. Some interior elements are the same as those of a Saab 9-3, as the brake hand, the number of intermittent or dashboard controls.

The entire dashboard is made of plastic and foam, a material that many brands reserved for the most visible. This is also the coating material inside the doors, even in its lowest part, which is usually hard plastic and poorly treated. The central console between two seats, is a hard plastic but with a surface treatment that gives good looks. Frames with a metallic appearance that is in the dashboard is made of plastic.

The driving position seems good, except for the seats. The two versions that I led had leather upholstery, and with it, the seats are very slippery. The bench is rather short, giving little support on the thighs, making it advisable to adjust the slope of the sidewalk to the front is a little higher. The endorsement does not have a jacket and leave the back area too loose.

All controls are close at hand, at least in the version without the browser screen. Visibility is good, within the normal range in a car today. A car is suitable for those who prefer to drive in a low position and to some extent, there is no problem in dimensions, the higher will find sufficient longitudinal travel of the seat and headroom.

By contrast, in the rear seats can hardly be comfortable for adults lack longitudinal space. The width and height are adequate, but legroom is even smaller than the car back just livable, 4 as an Audi or a Volvo S40.

The data volume is 425 l trunk, just for a car of this size. But they could put a box of 100 x 100 x 45 cm and sobraría still some space. Although not a perfectly regular, it is very profitable for their proportions.

Dynamically, the feel of the BLS is similar to a Saab 9-3. We have not driven enough to be sure, but I think it is even more comfortable suspension. You do not have the agility of some saloons such as a BMW 3 Series or a Honda Accord, but the driving response was satisfactory in normal use.

We conducted a 150 Diesel and the V6 petrol 256 hp, both versions' Elegance '. These two models have different size wheels: change the width and diameter (225/45 17 in one case and 235/45 17 in another). Diesel was the Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires, gasoline was the Pirelli P7.

The diesel is a comfortable car suspension, which does not seem too soft. The V6 petrol is clearly harder suspension and has better touch, but is more uncomfortable. Nor is it impossible because a suspension is not as harsh, such as that carried a series of BMW 3 Series. I have not tested the gasoline V6 Sport Luxury version, which has an even tougher suspension and tires 18 "tires with less profile. As is the Elegance version with wheels 17" I think that the only other is recommended for anyone willing to take an uncomfortable car in exchange for having better touch.

As in the Saab 9-3, the motor is low if the soil is a bit slippery, especially with the engine of 255 hp. The stability control works well, it is difficult to miss the car to accelerate the trend too. P Zero Rosso tires I found that the noisiest P7. Not so much in the running, but the noise when transmitted bumpy final step.

The 150 hp diesel engine has the same response in other models that take (for example, the Alfa Romeo GT), but perhaps with a somewhat greater smoothness and less noise at idle. Is an engine for sustaining a high cruising speed and acceleration capacity is to be expected in a car like this.

We led with the manual gearbox six marches. In this case, the benefits and consumption within the average, compared with models of similar size and power. The differences are not the best large, except in speed.

The 255 hp V6 engine is very strong and rapid response to throttle. Engine is a very nice because, besides having a good reserve of acceleration is smooth and quiet. The automatic gearbox with six speeds I've driven is soft and usually leads to car in the appropriate regime. Like other cases of this kind, its main shortcoming is that it takes to answer a need for sudden acceleration.

It has a lever on the steering wheel controls and type of sequence, but must be used before selecting the manual mode with the lever. This prevents you from quickly select a running short. In addition, the controls of the steering wheel (left to lower right to enlarge) are the push to be less comfortable than those that must be thrown away.