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The Cadillac CTS Wagon grew to become a cult traditional the second it went on sale. All of us knew that it was by no means going to promote in something approaching vital numbers, and if that “we” did not embody these really working at GM, one must surprise what they have been smoking. Cadillac was nonetheless having a tough sufficient time making an attempt to persuade those who it was now a BMW-fighting sport luxurious model reasonably than the purveyor of Grandpa-piloted land yachts. To many, a sport sedan just like the CTS appeared like a stretch. However a CTS sport wagon? It certain appeared like GM was simply doing issues for funzies, an impression solely enhanced by the CTS-V Wagon. Neglect cult traditional. That factor was an prompt legend.
And but, the CTS wasn’t the one Cadillac of that period supplied as a wagon. It wasn’t even the primary. Earlier than GM mentioned “to hell with it, let’s have some enjoyable” on this facet of the pond, over in Europe, it had already taken a web page from its outdated badge-engineering playbook to create the 2006 Cadillac BLS Wagon. It was obtainable as a sedan, too, however its awkward majesty is finest loved because the long-roof mannequin.
There’s simply one thing off about the entire thing, proper? That is most likely as a result of it additionally appears to be like vaguely acquainted, as in case you’ve seen it earlier than. So the place the hell does this factor come from? Sweden! Behind that Cadillac Artwork and Science face is a Saab 9-3, and within the case of the BLS Wagon, the Saab 9-3 Sport Combi wagon. The roofline is the lifeless giveaway, as no different wagon has ever regarded like that. In actual fact, the roof and home windows have been the one exterior components to repeat instantly over from 9-3 to BLS. No kidding. With the Cadillac entrance finish, does not the Saab-funky-boxiness make it appear to be a miniature hearse? The reply is sure.
GM’s design crew, led by Ed Welburn, was fairly happy along with his work. Maybe it even egged him on to create a actual Cadillac sport wagon?
“The entire crew was very excited to use Cadillac’s design language to a wagon for the primary time,” said Welburn in a press release from the time. “The V-shaped chrome-plated grille, a Cadillac hallmark, is picked up once more by the form of the rear window, and the physique facet character traces make it unmistakably a Cadillac.”
The inside is surprisingly totally different from the 9-3, together with the ignition swap migrating from the middle console as much as the steering column. It additionally wasn’t precisely in line with the Cadillac norm of the time. That norm was in transition, although, as the brand new and vastly improved CTS of aforementioned wagon fame had but to be launched. The BLS cabin is extra elegant than the getting old modern CTS, which had a splash that resembled a desktop pc tower. Come to think about it, that automotive principally had Saab air vents. The BLS doesn’t. It does, nevertheless, just like the 9-3 and nearly each different non-Cadillac on the time, have the usual GM radio faceplate. It regarded horrible, the buttons have been chintzy, however for the time, it labored fairly effectively. You possibly can additionally get the less-prevalent touchscreen navigation model, pictured above. EVO magazine in the U.K. described all of it as a “first-rate inside.” Who am I to argue?
When it comes to its wagonness, that is what the press launch on the time needed to say: “Flexibility and flexibility outline the rear seats and cargo space, that are designed to assist all kinds of luxurious and leisure pursuits.” So, artwork gallery openings and snowshoeing. Acquired it. As I recall from the 9-3, the again seat was awfully cramped even for the time, however that large, boxy roofline meant the cargo space was comparatively huge.
EVO additionally famous in its first drive that Cadillac did make mechanical changes from the 9-3. True, that automotive was primarily based on the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra (aka Epsilon I), however a lot was completed in Trollhatten to shine that tu … automobile … that it is best to simply say the BLS relies on the 9-3. EVO notes that “Cadillac has devoted lots of improvement hours to quietening down the essential Saab bundle, particularly behind the automotive. The BLS makes use of softer suspension settings than the 9-3.”
I solely drove the sportiest of sport 9-3s, the reasonably charming 9-3X Sport Combi, and that was a surprisingly taut and satisfying automotive to drive. I really preferred it fairly a bit. What would occurred in case you softened the softer model? Nicely, Evo famous that it was pleasingly quiet, refined and fairly good at consuming up “motorway” miles, however did not do the remainder of the underwhelming dynamic bundle any favors.
“Your need to chuck the Caddy down an inviting highway is additional eroded by woolly steering, fluffy brakes, front-wheel-drive tug and wriggle throughout onerous acceleration, and a level of bodyroll endemic to any automotive that locations its dynamic emphasis on journey high quality. And in contrast to different, bigger Cadillacs, there aren’t any plans as but to develop a sports activities chassis pack for the BLS.”
Saab’s 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 was obtainable, which produced a really wholesome 251 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An Audi A4 2.0T would not crest that horsepower for years. The 0-60 time was however listed at a leisurely 7.5 seconds. You possibly can additionally get a 1.9-liter diesel and 173-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four.
In a manner, you’ll be able to take into account the BLS the predecessor of the ATS and due to this fact the CT4. After all, you could possibly additionally take into account it the long-awaited successor to the Cimarron, a much more unlucky instance of badge engineering. The automotive was solely bought from mannequin years 2006 via 2009, and at present, the one wagon I might discover on the market within the U.Okay. has an asking worth of about £5,000 with solely 52,000 miles on it. Not unhealthy. I imply, used cars in Britain are all the time loopy low-cost by American requirements, however in case you’re in search of a surprisingly spacious wagon that is by some means extra oddball than a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi … effectively, you are fairly the strawman, that is for certain.
And no, there was no BLS-V Wagon. Apparently, GM of Europe wasn’t as eager on doing issues for funzies.
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