Cadillac BLS
The Cadillac BLS is a model mechanically similar to an Opel Vectra or a Saab 9-3; manufactured in the same premises as the 9-3 and with the same range of engines.
It’s for sale with four doors and bodywork also familiar with bodywork (Wagon). The BLS measures 4,680 mm long, 1,752 mm in width and 1,471 mm in height. There are very few dimensions similar to those of a Honda Accord, a MAZDA6 or a Peugeot 407.
It is the first Cadillac with diesel engine and, by finishing quality, price and equipment, can resemble an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or a Jaguar X-Type, plus a Saab 9-3. It differs from a Saab 9-3 mainly because his style exterior and interior (but inside there are some common elements).
It’s for sale in Spain from € 29,990, up to 45,990 € of the more expensive version (2.8T Sport Luxury V6 255cv Aut. Vel 6.). The price of diesel less expensive version (1.9D 150cv Business) is € 31,340.
The Saab 9-3 with the same diesel engine rather than standard equipment costs € 31,292 (list of cars from 30,000 € from 4.5 to 4.8 m, with diesel engine from 135 to 165 hp). An Audi A4 TDI 140 hp and, above all, a BMW 320d of 177 hp are more expensive than a Cadillac BLS.
The range of Cadillac BLS consists of four engines (three petrol and two Diesel), all of them turbocharged. The petrol are 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 be used as fuel E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline).
According to the engine, carries a six-speed manual or an automatic five or six gears.
Cadillac BLS
There are four versions depending on the equipment: ‘Business’,’ Elegance ‘,’ Sport ‘and’ Sport Luxury. ” There will be available all combinations of engine and equipment.
As the 9-3, the BLS is a car that gives one aspect of quality superior to most models of its size. The coating materials are rich and the adjustment is good. This Cadillac manufactured in Europe seems to me superior in this regard to the Cadillac manufactured in the U.S. Some interior elements are the same as those of a Saab 9-3, as the parking brake lever, or some of intermittent controls the dashboard.
All the dashboard is made of plastic and foam, a material that many brands reserved for the most visible. Also this material is the interior lining of the doors, even at its lowest part, which is normally hard plastic and little treaty. The central part of the console, between the two seats, is a hard plastic but with a surface treatment that gives good. The frames with metallic finish on the dashboard that there are plastic.
The driving position strikes me as well, except for the seats. The two versions that he had led leather upholstery and, with it, the seats are very slippery. The sidewalk is rather short; gives little support in the thighs, making it advisable to adjust the pitch of the sidewalk to the front is a little higher. The endorsement does not have a very loose and leaves surround the dorsal area.
All controls are very handy, at least in the version without the screen. Visibility is good, within the normal range in a car today. It is a car fit for those who prefer driving in a low position and to some extent, there is no problem in dimensions, people will find sufficient trail highest longitudinal seat and headroom.
Cadillac BLS
By contrast, in the rear seats can hardly go comfortably because adults lack longitudinal space. The width and height are sufficient, but the space for the legs is even less than the car shortly habitable ago, as an Audi 4 or a Volvo S40.
The data volume of 425 l trunk is little for a car of this size. But the truth is that meter could be a box of 100 x 100 x 45 cm and even on some space. Although not have a perfectly fair, it is very profitable for their proportions.
Dynamically, touch the BLS is similar to that of 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 his response is satisfactory at the wheel in normal use.
We have conducted a diesel 150 and the V6 petrol 256 hp, both versions’ Elegance. ” These two models have wheels of various sizes: changing the width and diameter (225/45 17 in one case and in another 235/45 17). The Diesel was Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires, gasoline was Pirelli P7.
The Diesel is a comfortable car suspension, which does not strike me as too soft. The V6 petrol is clearly harder suspension; has better touch, but it is more uncomfortable. Nor is unbearable because a moratorium is not so hard, for example, as the leading series of a BMW 3 Series. I have not tested the V6 gasoline Sport Luxury version, which has an even tougher suspension and tires of 18 “with less profile tire. As is the Elegance version with wheels of 17″, it seems to me that the only other it is advisable for anyone willing to take a car uncomfortable in exchange for having better touch.
Cadillac BLS
As in the Saab 9-3, the motor is low if the soil is somewhat slippery, especially with the 255 hp engine. The stability control works well, it is hard to miss the car to accelerate the trend too. The P Zero Rosso tires have seemed to me that the noisiest P7. Not so much in the running, but the noise when transmitting step firm Bach.
The diesel engine of 150 hp has the same response in other models that they carried (for example, the Alfa Romeo GT), but perhaps with a little more softness and less noise at idle. It is an engine suitable for sustaining a high cruising speed and gives the ability of acceleration you would expect in a car like this.
We led with the manual gearbox six marches. With this box, benefits and consumption are within the average, compared with models of similar size and power. Differences with the best are not large, except at maximum speed.
The V6 engine of 255 hp is very strong and rapid response to throttle. It’s a very nice engine because, besides having a good reserve of acceleration is smooth and quiet. The automatic gearbox six speeds with which he led what is mild and usually leads to the car in the proper regime. Like other cases of this type, its main shortcoming is what it takes to respond to a sudden need for acceleration.
It has a lever and controls on the steering wheel-type sequential, but to use previously, you should select the manual mode with the lever. This would preclude quickly select a march short. In addition, commanders of the steering wheel (left to reduce, to enhance law) are those who should be pushing, less comfortable than those of which must be thrown away.
