Cadillac will build small crossover, maybe import BLS by 2009
What the automotive press unanimously agrees upon is that Cadillac will be building a small crossover by 2009. Inside Line reports that the soft-roader, referred to as the BRX, will be based on the Theta platform underpinning the Chevy Equinox and feature a four-cylinder engine and sub-$30k price tag. Automotive News, however, reports that the BLX will mix Theta and Epsilon 2 architectures so that the BLX can accommodate a larger V6 up front. We'd go with Automotive News on this one as we find it dubious to think Cadillac would not offer a V6 option on a $30k ute, especially considering it can offer cylinder-deactivation on a V6 now to keep fuel economy in check. Sure, some automakers are getting away with equipping their CUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines in lieu of larger six-cylinder units, but GM has no such high-tech powerplant to offer.
The on again, off again decision to import the European-only BLS sedan based on the Saab 9-3 appears to be, well... on again and off again. Inside Line again reports the next generation BLS will be here in late 2009 and be built on U.S. soil rather than in Trollhattan, Sweden where the current car is assembled. Automotive News again disagrees, saying the "baby Cadillac" would be too close in price to the larger CTS. Time to flip sides and stand with Inside Line on the BLS rumors. The CTS is going to get larger and more expensivenext year, which leaves plenty of space for a small front- and all-wheel drive sedan in Caddy's lineup.
What we do know is that Cadillac has fresh product in the pipeline to address the entry-level end of the market. With this shift down market you can probably kiss the rumored super sedan based on the Sixteen concept goodbye, and the brand's V12 engine that's been tested in the Escalade is back on the shelf.
[Source: Inside Line, Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Greg A. 2:16PM (8/22/2006)
If the BLS will be sold in the U.S., might they change its name? WBLS ('BLS for short, as in the lyric "On 'BLS I heard the sound / of an angel" of U2's "Angel of Harlem") is an "urban" radio station in the New York metro area.
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Todd 2:16PM (8/22/2006)
If you want a BLS based crossover, why don't you just add 4 wheel drive to a saab 9-3? Isn't it an option on the 9-5? Also, what happens when Saab starts building its Subaru b9 based vehicle? Smart money says wait and see as GM seeks hard to find a compelling reason to spend your money on some SRX downsized ride.
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Kowell 2:22PM (8/22/2006)
a cadillac small SUV..... great another rebadged Equinox
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Jeff Crew 2:23PM (8/22/2006)
"Sure, some automakers are getting away with equipping their CUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines in lieu of larger six-cylinder units, but GM has no such high-tech powerplant to offer." Hmmm... the Ecotec that is going into the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice is a Turbocharged 4cyl. at 260hp/260lbs.ft would work fine, maybe take some HP off the top and build in a little more torque though... Or, the 205hp ecotec from the Cobalt SS Supersharged edition/Sauturn Ion Redline Coupe... but GM does not have an engine... bah!
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rwdmtparkingonly 2:26PM (8/22/2006)
If they do this then screw GM, I'm going to stop defending them, and I'll agree with all the stupid bastards here that BMW has magic powder that makes their cars handle better than any other rwd independent suspension cars, and that Toyota invented the internal combustion engine, electricity, and the cure for Polio.
GM has done a lot of innovation and made of lot of great products that it doesn't get credit for because of management mistakes, but if they re-introduce the Cimmaron then screw them.
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s 2:26PM (8/22/2006)
Autoweek reports that the BLS will not come to the US and Inside Line does. Some got their info wrong.
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JayP 2:27PM (8/22/2006)
BLS = Cimarron
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The other Bob 2:30PM (8/22/2006)
Also, one of the Detroit papers said today that Cadillac would be building a small SUV AND a $100,000 plus super sedan.
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schultz 2:32PM (8/22/2006)
So a BLS based on a Saab is equal to the Cimmeron, which was based on a Cavalier? That means Saab 9-3 = Cavalier. I don't think so.
Seems to me that Cadillac should build a small Kappa based coupe or roadster with a hard top convertable top first.
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Richard Warren 2:36PM (8/22/2006)
Stop pandering the Cadillac name to the lower end of the market, that's what the other divisions are for.
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Ted 2:44PM (8/22/2006)
If Cadillac moves downmarket, doesn't that take the place of Saab as a near-luxury brand? GM has Saab to compete with the smaller Audis, BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and so on. Why do they need a Saab-based Cadillac when they already have Saab?
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Dave 2:56PM (8/22/2006)
GMT 168 = Saab 9-4X, SOP March 2009
GMT 166 = Cadillac BRX, SOP May 2009
NG Theta platform. Equinox/Torrent will follow off these two, not the reverse.
- End Transmission -
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Jay 3:53PM (8/22/2006)
I don't understand why they need to modify the platform to fit a v-6. All the current Thetas accommodate them.
#2... The Tribeca-based Saab died with the sale to Toyota, and I don't believe the 9-5 is offered with AWD.
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laserwizard 3:56PM (8/22/2006)
More automotive cowpies for American roads. It is bad enough Cadillac cars are so ugly that they can transmit rabies visually, but to add more lethality with an additional rebadge with surface bad taste is criminal.
Maybe Cadillac can unearth Lawanda Paige and have her as their spokesperson - "Drive this car, you fish-eyed fool!"
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s 4:30PM (8/22/2006)
"9. So a BLS based on a Saab is equal to the Cimmeron, which was based on a Cavalier? That means Saab 9-3 = Cavalier. I don't think so.
Seems to me that Cadillac should build a small Kappa based coupe or roadster with a hard top convertable top first."
Posted at 2:32PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by schultz
No dear,
BLS and 9-3 share the same platform with the Malibu.
Do your research cause you are so wrong.
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PJ 4:54PM (8/22/2006)
"If the BLS will be sold in the U.S., might they change its name?"
I certainly hope so. The name is fitting, though: "BLS" stands for "Basic Life Support" in the ambulance biz, which about sums up this vehicle's purpose for Cadillac UK.
It also leaves the car wide open for the inevitable "Ignorance is BLS" cut...
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dave 5:24PM (8/22/2006)
lazerwizard, you have no credability here anymore. all of your post's are about as onesided and negative as a fixed german shepard. we all know by now you are a toyota salesman. if caddy's were so ugly, then why is it they sell like hotcakes. grow up, give up your wal-mart job, buy a real car, finish high school, find a date, and maybe you will then gain restect. but first, learn to drive something other than your '50's pedal car.
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Tom Design 6:03PM (8/22/2006)
I know Cadillac, and you, Sir, are no Cadillac.
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Mark 10:53PM (8/22/2006)
Interesting to see that I'm not the only one who thinks "Cimarron" when I hear of plans to rebadge a 4-cylinder Chevy to a Cadillac.
Meanwhile, I would love to see Cadillac build a V-12, maybe put it in some sort of low-production super sedan. Give Cadillac some swagger.
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Gary 9:42AM (8/23/2006)
I don't think this is a good idea at all. There should be a lower price or size limit below which Cadillac may not go. Sell more Saabs or make it a Buick or something. While the BLS might not be a Cimarron, it might be a Packard Clipper.
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