Cadillac is the latest GM brand to make an assault on the UK market and accordingly showed the BLS in Geneva. Based on the Saab 9-3, this Cadillac is the first to be built in Europe and the first to be specifically targeted at the European market, catering for the European tastes for dynamic excellence as well as luxury. Although the 9-3 donates its chassis the two cars look very different with the BLS looking every inch American. Upfront it wears the Cadillac company face with imposing grille and strong angular headlights. The overall shape combines a muscular stance with prominent angles and smooth curves. At an overall length of 4.7 metres long the BLS has a spacious interior with equipment levels and materials typical of an American car. However, unlike most of its country folk it also promises to have the dynamic capability of a European native.

The already competent Saab's front-drive chassis will be further developed to offer a genuinely sporting drive. Under the bonnet the car will get a line up of turbocharged petrol and, more importantly in today's market, diesel power-plants: two petrol 2.0-litre four-cylinders of different outputs, a 2.8-litre petrol V6 and a 1.9-litre Euro 4 compliant common rail diesel. All of these will be available with either a manual or auto 'box.

In addition to excellent dynamics, the Cadillac engineers are paying special attention to NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels to get them up to class leading standard. Scheduled to go on sale in the UK in 2006 this mid-segment model looks to lock horns with the Mercedes C-class, Audi A4 and new BMW 3-series. As a car designed purely for Europe (it won't be sold in its homeland), the BLS looks like it has every chance of stealing some sales from the establishment.

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