Archive for the 'BLS' category
Where have I heard this before? - RWD plans for Cadillac
May 7, 2007 - 12:51 pm
GM Inside News is reporting on information they have from GM insiders as to GM and Cadillac’s future rear-drive plans.
Of note for us Cadillac fans:
BLS will debut on the Alpha platform in early 2011 as a 2012 model in rear and all-wheel drive and will be targeted in size and mission directly against the BMW 3-series.
What? Isn’t the CTS supposed to be Cadillac’s 3-series (if slightly larger) competitor? Not anymore.
In 2010, Cadillac will make a significant refresh of the new CTS to move it upmarket to 5-series territory.
What? What does that mean for the STS? Well, at about this time, Cadillac will discontinue the STS to make room for this re-positioning of the CTS.
Expect the 3rd generation CTS to bow in 2012 as a 2013 and leave the Sigma chassis behind in favor of a version of the Zeta platform.
Other significant product additions include a CTS coupe and wagon around 2009, a small utility (BRX) that will take parts from the Epsilon and Theta chassis. The CTS wagon and BRX will make the SRX redundant and expect it to leave the lineup in the 2009-2010 time frame.
BRX will have a short life before being redesigned early in the next decade on the new Alpha chassis (and making the first BRX a short-lived excursion from Cadillac’s all-rear drive/all the time strategy).
While not mentioned in this piece, we also have heard many times that Cadillac is chomping at the bit for a large off-shoot of Zeta to fill-in the top of the line and give the brand a viable competitor for the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-class, and expected to have V-12 power (at least as an option).
Read all about it at:
GMI: A Future Glimpse of GM’s RWD Plans
Edmunds recaps Cadillac future product plans
March 29, 2007 - 2:01 pmEdmunds’ Inside Line sub-site decided recently to give a run-down of all the latest rumors of Cadillac’s future products. Lots of this isn’t really news to regulars of the Caddy Edge – but it might be interesting to put all of this in one post for future reference.
I’ll put the abbreviated version here – if you want more commentary you can check out the link to their post below…
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Salvation of the BLS - thine name is Alpha
March 22, 2007 - 11:36 amThe good folks over at Winding Road have something very interesting to report about the future of Cadillac’s BLS model.
Conventional wisdom has been that the next BLS would ride on the Epsilon2 chassis and would therefore be front and/or all-wheel drive. The only way for BLS to be a legitimate 3-series competitor in Europe would have required the AWD route since front drive simply does not appeal to the sport sedan buyer that is looking for the most involving driving experience.
Now we hear what is really going on behind the scenes…a new, sub-Sigma rear drive platform that pulls parts from both the small Kappa (Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel GT) and from the Zeta chassis (Pontiac G8, Holden Commodore). The new platform’s name – Alpha.
This new chassis will serve as the basis for not only the 2nd generation BLS but also for a new replacement for the Pontiac G6 (on Pontiac’s way to becoming a rear-drive, enthusiasts brand).
Way to go Cadillac! Let’s get that BLS redesign fast-tracked.
This should also allow Cadillac to easily move the CTS into direct competition with the BMW 5-series/Mercedes E-Class – since it is already the right size. And then allow Cadillac to bring over the BLS to the North American market as a more direct 3-series/C-class competitor.
Winding Road: GM’s Next RWD Platform: Alpha
More BLS news…BLS Wagon announced
March 12, 2007 - 11:00 am
In a move that has the anti-BLS crowd (Saabophiles, mainly) fuming…Cadillac has announced another variant of the Epsilon (Saab 9-3, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, Opel Vectra, Chevy Malibu) based BLS – a wagon.
Built alongside the 9-3 in Sweden, the BLS wagon shares a bit of the styling of the recent 9-3 SportCombi wagon, but with a definite Cadillac look. In fact, like the sedan, it is amazing that GM was able to make the changes as profound as they are – styling-wise.
This move is likely intended to help drive what has been, to date, slow BLS sales.
Interestingly, Cadillac is claiming this to be the first wagon in Cadillac’s history. Its success will certainly play into their decision to build or not build a CTS wagon (which would be targeted mainly at the Euro-market.
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BLS named “Best Winter Car” in Finland
March 12, 2007 - 7:28 amFinland’s Tekniikan Maailma magazine, in a comparison of 20 of the newest models available in Europe, has found the Cadillac BLS to be the Winter Car 2007.
Key to the BLS’ win was its scores in tests for “low-grip handling, braking stability and grip on uphill starts, as well as its headlamp performance and ability to heat the interior to a comfortable 15 degrees© in just 10 minutes from a sub-zero startup.”
Read the entire GM press release celebrating the win below:
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