Rendered Speculation: Cadillac BLS Convertible
It's been widely reported that execs at GM, including Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, are keen to expand Cadillac's lineup with several new exciting models. Gone are the days of the emphasis on luxo barges, replaced instead with a focus on smaller and more dynamic cars like the new CTS and, to a lesser extent, the Europe-only BLS. Most are predicting Cadillac will eventually launch new coupe and convertible versions of the CTS, but what if there was a new cabrio version of the entry-level BLS?This new rendering gives us a pretty good idea of what that car would look like, and, to be honest, it doesn't look all that bad. Cadillac is said to be developing a new RWD small sedan to replace the BLS, and, if a coupe and convertible version were offered, we're sure it would have some success in the U.S.
[Source: CWW Car Design]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Golferal 5:44PM (9/20/2007)
I think it looks way better than most of the European convertibles (The Italians excluded of course). With the right powertrain I would easily buy this over a BMW or Mercedes.
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psarhjinian 8:39PM (9/20/2007)
What it looks like is a Saab 9-3. Guess why?
Cadillac has a place in Europe, but that place is competing with Mercedes, not Saab. GM just can't get it: intracompany overlap is a stupid thing. It's stupid when Toyota does it (Sequoia/Land Cruiser), when Hyundai (just about everythign except the Rondo) does it and when VW does it (SEAT vs. Skoda vs VW). It's extra-double-plus-stupid when you're bleeding cash and marketshare.
Toyota could afford to do this (but mostly doesn't). GM can't.
Golferal 9:02PM (9/20/2007)
How does this pertain to what I said? All I commented on was that this was a good looking car and that I would, under the right circumstances) prefer this to a European car. Cadillac has another convertible (XLR) but I don't think these two vehicles would compete.
Since I live in the U.S. and GM doesn't make a similar vehicle for the domestic market, how is this considered "intracompany overlap"?
Golferal 9:06PM (9/20/2007)
PS: Saab's not even on my list of possilbe choices (as it is not with most Americans), so if that's what you mean, then I would disagree with you. If GM can badge engineer a Saab into a Caddy that people would actaully buy, what's wrong with that?
andrew 5:47PM (9/20/2007)
Even if they dont do it as teh BLS, something that looks loke that on Kappa would be cool
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TriShield 5:47PM (9/20/2007)
Kill it. The BLS is an abysmal failure overseas, and we certainly don't need it here.
The rumors of Cadillac selling a model under the CTS in America is scary. GM already has too many brands playing in that territory, and things have not gone well for many luxury brands that have ventured that far downmarket.
Just because BMW is releasing the 1-Series doesn't mean Cadillac should follow suit or that it would be a good idea.
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J. Crew 6:07PM (9/20/2007)
That size of car is bigger than the 1 series. The smaller Cadillac would be closer in size to the 3 series as the CTS is closer to the 5 series. They announced they are killing off the STS and DTS to make one larger car which makes sense as well. They would have 3 cars, small, medium and large. Plus any models spun off that and their SUV's. It is sounding like a smart direction they are heading.
This convertible would be easy to do since the car is already based on SAAB underpinnings. It looks good although I agree not to send that car or any of the BLS models over here until it is off of the Epsilon architecture... basically this Caddilac would be sharing the same bones as a convertible G6... not exactly your ideal Cadillac.
SPG 5:55PM (9/20/2007)
I love it.
I'd take the BLS sedan even.
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Reno 7:50PM (9/20/2007)
Cadillac is starting to scare me! See, GM is thinking that following the German formula will equate to bigger sales. Despite the French name, Cadillac is an American car company, and if it stand on that and offer "good products" it wouldn't have to experiment with different product formulas. Truthfully the CTS, should have stayed the smallest Cadillac. The STS was great in its size it just couldn't compete "stylisticly", that's all. Performance wise, the STS was cool. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst. Now the DTS, should have been redesigned from the ground up, inside out, at least 3 years ago. Gm is acting dumb, its not the line-up, its the competitive styling and performance that lacking. If Cadillac is posed to be the top of the-line GM product, it sure look like its going backwards focusing to smaller cars. I tell you this, Bentley isn't getting smaller...either is Rolls Royce, and in the US, people strive for cars the size of an E-class or 5-Series. The 3-series might be the bread and butter or BMW, but for Cadillac to aim for a smaller market than the CTS in the US, it has a getter obsticle of having the US consumer not looking at that Baby Lac as a Cobolt or G5 with more or better bells and whistles. After all, the Cimmeron couldn't even hide the fact that it was just a Cavalier in a tuxedo.
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Rob 7:47PM (9/20/2007)
Boy! I'm really glad that Caddy is going to abandon the fugly land yachts it's known for building. I don't think anyone likes or wants them. Too bad it took G.M. 20 years realize it. I really like THE NEW CTS & for the first time in 20 years other then a Corvette, I'm going to buy American!
Caddy.... You're on the right path...........Build "smaller dynamic cars!"
AMEN!
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Drewboy 9:01PM (9/20/2007)
I like the front, but the sides are far too slab-sided. Its something I'd drive.
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jesda 9:50AM (9/21/2007)
Its too tall and short.
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