View source for Cadillac BLS

{{Use British English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Cadillac BLS front.JPG
| name = Cadillac BLS
| manufacturer = [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] ([[General Motors]])
| production = 2005–2009 (Sweden)<br/>2009–2010 (Russia)
| predecessor = [[Cadillac Cimarron]]
| successor = [[Cadillac ATS]]
| class = [[Compact executive car]] ([[D-segment|D]])
| body_style = 4-door [[saloon (car)|saloon]]<br>5-door [[Estate car|estate]]
| layout = [[FF layout]]
| assembly = [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]] (Saab Automobile)<br/>[[Kaliningrad]], [[Russia]] ([[Avtotor]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |title=Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили GM |publisher=Avtotor.ru |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210120547/http://www.avtotor.ru/gm/ |archivedate=2016-02-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |title=GM 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904192557/http://www.avtotor.ru/upload/pictures/gm2009.jpg |archivedate=2011-09-04 }}</ref>
| platform = [[GM Epsilon platform]]
| engine = {{ubl
  | '''[[Petrol engine|Petrol]]:'''
  | 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[GM Ecotec engine#LK9|Ecotec LK9]]'' [[Turbocharger|turbo]] [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 2.8&nbsp;L ''[[GM High Feature engine#LP9|HFV6]]'' turbo [[V6 engine|V6]]
  | '''[[Diesel engine|Diesel]]:'''
  | 1.9 L ''[[JTD engine#1.9|Fiat JTD]]'' [[turbodiesel]] I4
  }}
| transmission = 5-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>6-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br>6-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|4716|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (estate)
| width = {{convert|1750|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|1752|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (estate)
| height = {{convert|1470|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|1543|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (estate)
| related = [[Fiat Croma#Second generation (2005–2010)|Fiat Croma]]<br>[[Chevrolet Malibu#Sixth generation (2004)|Chevrolet Malibu]]<br>[[Opel Signum]]<br>[[Opel Vectra#Vectra C (2002–2010)|Opel Vectra C]]<br>[[Saab 9-3#Second generation (2003–2014)|Saab 9-3]]<br>[[Saturn Aura]]
|designer = [[Bryan Nesbitt]]
}}
[[File:Cadillac BLS rear.JPG|thumb|right|BLS Sedan rear]]
[[File:Cadillac BLS Wagon D rear.JPG|thumb|right|Cadillac BLS Estate rear]]

The '''Cadillac BLS''' is a [[compact executive car]] that was marketed in [[Europe]] by [[Cadillac]], sharing [[General Motors]]' [[GM Epsilon platform|Epsilon]] architecture, as a restyled variant of the [[Saab 9-3]]. Development was carried out by [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] and the car was manufactured in [[Trollhättan Assembly|Trollhättan]], [[Sweden]], alongside the [[Saab 9-3]] and the [[Saab 9-5]]. Sales of the [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]] began in March 2006, with an [[station wagon|estate]] joining the line for 2007. Starting in 2007, the BLS was sold in the [[Middle East]], [[Mexico]], [[South Africa]] and [[South Korea]].

BLS production reached 3,257 in 2006<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47"/> and 2,772 in 2007.<ref name="Automobil Revue 2008, p. 47">''Automobil Revue'', catalog 2008, p. 47</ref><ref>auto ''motor und sport'', #3/2008, p.13</ref> Production ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821094956/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D155287 |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=155287 |title=It's the End of the Line for the Cadillac BLS in Europe |publisher=[[Edmunds Inc.]] |work=Edmunds Inside Line |date=2009-08-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |archivedate=2009-08-21 |first=Anita |last=Lienert |url-status=dead }}</ref> Until the [[Cadillac GT4|GT4]] was introduced in 2023, the BLS was the only Cadillac never sold in North America.

==Features==
The BLS was available with a diesel engine (a 1.9&nbsp;L turbocharged four-cylinder) and two [[petrol]] engines (a 2.8&nbsp;L turbocharged V6 and a 2.0&nbsp;L available with two power levels).

At {{convert|184.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} in overall length, the BLS was almost six inches shorter than the [[Cadillac CTS|CTS]], the smallest Cadillac that was available in the United States or Canada.

Engines:
* 1.9&nbsp;L [[Fiat]] [[turbodiesel]] [[Straight-4|I4]] 16v, 150&nbsp;bhp (110&nbsp;kW)
* 1.9&nbsp;L [[Fiat]] [[turbodiesel]] [[Straight-4|I4]] 16v, 180&nbsp;bhp (132&nbsp;kW) (2007-)
* 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[GM Ecotec engine|Ecotec LK9]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], mid-pressure [[Turbocharger|turbo]], 175&nbsp;bhp (129&nbsp;kW)
* 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[GM Ecotec engine|Ecotec LK9]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], high-pressure [[Turbocharger|turbo]], 210&nbsp;bhp (154&nbsp;kW)
* 2.0&nbsp;T FlexPower 200&nbsp;bhp (147&nbsp;kW)
* 2.8&nbsp;L ''[[GM High Feature engine#LP9|HFV6]]'' [[V6]], [[Turbocharger|turbo]], 250&nbsp;bhp (184&nbsp;kW)

==Differences from the Saab 9-3==
Though a large percentage of BLS components were shared with the Saab 9-3, the BLS was differentiated from the 9-3 throughout the exterior and interior.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scandinavian Cadillac: The 2007-2009 Cadillac BLS Wagon |url=https://wagonsource.com/scandinavian-cadillac-the-2007-2009-cadillac-bls-wagon/ |website=Wagon Source |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328114856/http://wagonsource.com/scandinavian-cadillac-the-2007-2009-cadillac-bls-wagon/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Interior_BLS.jpg|thumb|left|Interior]]
* Unique exterior sheet metal and lighting elements on front and rear. 
* Different wheel options.
* Unique upper dashboard design with an integrated analogue clock between central air vents.
* Redesigned centre console with dual cupholders, eliminating the 9-3s flip-out cupholder.
* Traditionally mounted [[ignition switch]] in [[steering column]].
* Unique [[instrument cluster]] gauge design. White background lighting instead of green.
* Additional seat stitching.
* Unique headrests on front seats.
* Cadillac logo replaced Saab logo on engine covers, steering wheel and first-aid kits

==Reviews==
*''[[Auto Express]]'' {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/cadillac/bls/21082/2006-2010-saloon |title= Cadillac BLS |publisher=Auto Express |date= |accessdate=2014-06-28}}</ref><br>'The BLS is OK, but offers nothing new in a market overflowing with talent.'
*''[[Evo (magazine)|Evo]]'' {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/65832/cadillac_bls.html |title = Cadillac BLS {{!}} evo}}</ref><br>[+] Stylish and quiet<br>[-] Pushes no boundaries.
*''[http://www.honestjohn.co.uk Honest John]'' {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |title=Car-By-Car Reviews - Cadillac BLS (2006 - 2010) |publisher=Honest John |date= |accessdate=2014-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923225146/http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/cadillac/bls-2006/ |archive-date=2014-09-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br>Positives: Based on the Saab 9-3 so decent handling. Well proven mechanicals. Saab-grade safety.<br>Negatives: The ride is far from forgiving. Automatic doesn't work well with the V6 turbo, which also has overly light steering.
*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070319233216/http://www.verdictoncars.com/ Verdict On Cars]'' {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=1072|title=Cadillac BLS|publisher=Verdict On Cars|date=|accessdate=2014-06-23|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223104937/http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=1072|archivedate=2005-02-23}}</ref><br>'Average. It's built in Europe, shares most of its underpinnings with a Saab and will never see America - meet the strangest Cadillac ever.'

==Name==
The BLS is known by many as the "Bob Lutz Special" - a reference to Vice Chairman [[Bob Lutz (businessman)|Bob Lutz]] who oversaw all GM product development at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a18201160/2006-cadillac-bls-car-news/|title=2006 Cadillac BLS|work=Car & Driver|first=Ray|last=Hutton|date=2006-01-06|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref> Lutz, a supporter of badge engineering, wanted to leverage the Saab 9-3 to fill holes in Cadillac's product range.

The reference to Bob Lutz can be viewed both as support and as criticism of his strategy. While the BLS was a market failure, many of the techniques of badge engineering employed in the BLS resulted in other GM product successes, most notably a significant improvement in overall passenger car product quality and performance output.

According to GM, BLS stands for "B-segment Luxury Sedan", being in a smaller class than the CTS mid-size saloon. This is consistent with the Seville Luxury Sedan, later known as the [[Cadillac STS#Chinese Cadillac SLS|Cadillac SLS]] in China.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cadillac BLS}}

*[https://fuel-cars.com/cars/cadillac/cadillac-bls-2/ Fuel-cars.com: Technical Specifications]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070418155739/http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/review.aspx?model=1482 Parker's BLS Review]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070321023034/http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review/cadillac-bls-saloon/778/ WhatCar.Com BLS Review]
*[http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/11058/upfront-news-2006-cadillac-bls.html Car and Driver Article on BLS Debut]
*[http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/roadtests/65588/cadillac_bls.html Auto Express Review BLS 2.0T]

{{Cadillac}}
{{Cadillac vehicles}}

[[Category:Cadillac vehicles|BLS]]
[[Category:Mid-size cars]]
[[Category:Compact executive cars]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 2006]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 2009]]
[[Category:2010s cars]]
[[Category:Cars of Sweden]]
[[Category:Cars of Russia]]