There is something very macho about the Cadillac BLS. At the risk of sounding sexist - this comment was actually made to me by a female colleague - the BLS is very much a man's car, both inside and out.
Cadillac has earned a reputation, right from the time it was founded by precision machinist Henry M. Leland in New England in the United States in 1902, as a standard setter for excellence in the automotive industry.
The marque was acquired by General Motors as early as 1909 and has survived many ups and downs over the decades, including recessions, the Great Depression, wars, fuel rationing, and more.
Along the way, the Cadillac has become an icon and has inspired its own culture, including hundreds of car clubs, highly decorated art cars and creative retrofits. Among Cadillac's many innovations, taken for granted today, it was the first carmaker to use a self-starter, the first with an independent front-wheel suspension and first with the synchromesh transmission.
But back to the BLS. This Cadillac is clearly targeted at the lower luxury segment, populated by the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Audi A4. It certainly has a lot of presence and strikes me as an effort by the American carmaker to create a new niche for itself at the top end of the market which is not reached by its 'indigenous' European marques.
There is an assertive front grill, twin headlights on top of each other, integrated fog lights, colour-coded bumper, door handles and door mirrors, and 14-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels (225/45R). The doors have relatively high sills, yet there is plenty of glass all round.
Looking at the car from the rear, the boot is quite a 'slab' with the vertical configuration of the lights and the third brake light turned into a feature on the top of the boot lid. You also get rain sensors that automatically activate the wipers and the door mirrors are both electrically adjusted and heated.
Inside, there is a touch of wood (walnut veneer), which you may like or turn your nose up to. I certainly liked the detail involving the handbrake, which when released forms a continuous line with the central console.
The BLS is quite lavishly equipped: there are front, side and curtain airbags, dual zone automatic climate control, cruise control (not that you would use it much here), remote central locking, four electric windows and active front seat head restraints.
Incidentally, there are headrests for the three rear seat passengers. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in eight different ways. In-car entertainment consists of a seven-speaker CD radio sound system with MP3/auxiliary input.
The leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel is height and reach adjustable with controls for the sound system, cruise control and Driver Information Centre. The comprehensive standard equipment list includes 60:40 split rear seats, which increases the boot capacity from an already acceptable 425 litres, and a theft-deterrent alarm.
Mechanically, the BLS is powered by the latest generation 1.9 turbo diesel DOHC (double overhead camshaft) engine with a more than adequate 150 bhp and, more importantly for Malta, maximum torque (pulling power) of 320 Nm at between 2,000 and 2,750 rpm.
All this power - acceleration to 100 km/h is in less than 10 seconds (9.5) - is delivered through a slick six-speed gearbox. Consumption is also impressive and the CO2 emissions at 164 g/km.
Among the safety features are the latest versions of ABS, traction control (TCS) and mechanical brake assist (MBA). Cornering brake control (CBC) enhances braking while cornering by assessing the braking requirements of each wheel individually.
There is also the option of StabiliTrak, to help the driver maintain the intended direction. Sensors assess accelerator, brake, lateral and vertical movement as well as steering wheel data to understand the line the driver wishes to hold, subtly applying braking on individual wheels if necessary.
I immediately felt at home in the BLS. There is a high standard of build quality and the car, despite its weight of more than 1.5 tonnes, is responsive and quick off the mark even in local driving conditions with the AC on.
It was a torrid July day and so the internal ambiance was important. I immediately found the right seating position and the large central speedo gives you all the information you need for the stop-start driving that is the norm here.
Even a bit of a push on the Mriehel Bypass, interrupted for the speed camera, failed to excite the emotions, but it is in the everyday driving (and parking) situations that the Cadillac BLS is truly at ease.
At a starting price of just over Lm19,000, I consider this Cadillac to be good value for money, with a high standard of spec. Local agents Fapi Motors of Attard have built the impressive Cadillac Experience Centre, with its interactive displays, to encourage prospective clients to become absorbed in the marque.
With over a century of history covered, this is a centre that is well worth a visit even if you are simply interested in automotive history.
At a glance
Engine, four cylinders, turbo diesel engine with common-rail injection and particle filter.
Fuel, diesel. Displacement, 1,910 cc, four valves per cylinder.
Max. bhp, 150 at 4,000 rpm. Max. torque (pulling power), 320 Nm at 2,000-2,750 rpm. Unladen weight, 1,510 kg. Top speed, 210 km/h. 0-100 km/h, 9.5 seconds.
Combined fuel consumption, 6.1 litres/100 km.
Dimensions, length 4,680 mm, width 2,038 mm (outside of mirrors), height 1,471 mm.
Cadillac has earned a reputation, right from the time it was founded by precision machinist Henry M. Leland in New England in the United States in 1902, as a standard setter for excellence in the automotive industry.
The marque was acquired by General Motors as early as 1909 and has survived many ups and downs over the decades, including recessions, the Great Depression, wars, fuel rationing, and more.
Along the way, the Cadillac has become an icon and has inspired its own culture, including hundreds of car clubs, highly decorated art cars and creative retrofits. Among Cadillac's many innovations, taken for granted today, it was the first carmaker to use a self-starter, the first with an independent front-wheel suspension and first with the synchromesh transmission.
But back to the BLS. This Cadillac is clearly targeted at the lower luxury segment, populated by the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Audi A4. It certainly has a lot of presence and strikes me as an effort by the American carmaker to create a new niche for itself at the top end of the market which is not reached by its 'indigenous' European marques.
There is an assertive front grill, twin headlights on top of each other, integrated fog lights, colour-coded bumper, door handles and door mirrors, and 14-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels (225/45R). The doors have relatively high sills, yet there is plenty of glass all round.
Looking at the car from the rear, the boot is quite a 'slab' with the vertical configuration of the lights and the third brake light turned into a feature on the top of the boot lid. You also get rain sensors that automatically activate the wipers and the door mirrors are both electrically adjusted and heated.
Inside, there is a touch of wood (walnut veneer), which you may like or turn your nose up to. I certainly liked the detail involving the handbrake, which when released forms a continuous line with the central console.
The BLS is quite lavishly equipped: there are front, side and curtain airbags, dual zone automatic climate control, cruise control (not that you would use it much here), remote central locking, four electric windows and active front seat head restraints.
Incidentally, there are headrests for the three rear seat passengers. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in eight different ways. In-car entertainment consists of a seven-speaker CD radio sound system with MP3/auxiliary input.
The leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel is height and reach adjustable with controls for the sound system, cruise control and Driver Information Centre. The comprehensive standard equipment list includes 60:40 split rear seats, which increases the boot capacity from an already acceptable 425 litres, and a theft-deterrent alarm.
Mechanically, the BLS is powered by the latest generation 1.9 turbo diesel DOHC (double overhead camshaft) engine with a more than adequate 150 bhp and, more importantly for Malta, maximum torque (pulling power) of 320 Nm at between 2,000 and 2,750 rpm.
All this power - acceleration to 100 km/h is in less than 10 seconds (9.5) - is delivered through a slick six-speed gearbox. Consumption is also impressive and the CO2 emissions at 164 g/km.
Among the safety features are the latest versions of ABS, traction control (TCS) and mechanical brake assist (MBA). Cornering brake control (CBC) enhances braking while cornering by assessing the braking requirements of each wheel individually.
There is also the option of StabiliTrak, to help the driver maintain the intended direction. Sensors assess accelerator, brake, lateral and vertical movement as well as steering wheel data to understand the line the driver wishes to hold, subtly applying braking on individual wheels if necessary.
I immediately felt at home in the BLS. There is a high standard of build quality and the car, despite its weight of more than 1.5 tonnes, is responsive and quick off the mark even in local driving conditions with the AC on.
It was a torrid July day and so the internal ambiance was important. I immediately found the right seating position and the large central speedo gives you all the information you need for the stop-start driving that is the norm here.
Even a bit of a push on the Mriehel Bypass, interrupted for the speed camera, failed to excite the emotions, but it is in the everyday driving (and parking) situations that the Cadillac BLS is truly at ease.
At a starting price of just over Lm19,000, I consider this Cadillac to be good value for money, with a high standard of spec. Local agents Fapi Motors of Attard have built the impressive Cadillac Experience Centre, with its interactive displays, to encourage prospective clients to become absorbed in the marque.
With over a century of history covered, this is a centre that is well worth a visit even if you are simply interested in automotive history.
At a glance
Engine, four cylinders, turbo diesel engine with common-rail injection and particle filter.
Fuel, diesel. Displacement, 1,910 cc, four valves per cylinder.
Max. bhp, 150 at 4,000 rpm. Max. torque (pulling power), 320 Nm at 2,000-2,750 rpm. Unladen weight, 1,510 kg. Top speed, 210 km/h. 0-100 km/h, 9.5 seconds.
Combined fuel consumption, 6.1 litres/100 km.
Dimensions, length 4,680 mm, width 2,038 mm (outside of mirrors), height 1,471 mm.