2007 Cadillac BLS Wagon

Cadillac BLS Wagon heading to Europe

General Motors is expanding its presence on the European market with new station wagon based on the current Cadillac BLS compact sedan.

Although 6 inches longer, the car shares its platform with front-wheel drive Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3.

2007 Cadillac BLS Wagon

Although looking much less agile than the sedan, the new Cadillac BLS Wagon is nevertheless a nice choice for a European customer who always wanted to have a Cadillac but couldn’t afford the big one.

The cars will be available in the fourth quarter of 2007 with a choice of four engines: three turbocharged gasoline engines and a 1.9-liter direct-injection turbodiesel with a maintenance-free particulate filter, capable of delivering up to 150 hp of power.

The line of gasoline engines includes two 2.0-liter four-bangers, producing 175 hp and 210 hp respectively, and a 2.8-liter V6 a twin-scroll turbocharger and variable phasing of the intake camshafts pumping out some 255 hp.

The engines are mated with either six-speed manual or five- or six-speed automatic transmissions with a “Sport Mode” shift pattern.

Inside, the Cadillac BLS Wagon features an audio system from Bose; a DVD-based navigation system with touch-screen operation; a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone system with a hands-free kit; and remote controls on the steering wheel.

Its main problem is that you still can’t tell the BLS from the Opel Vectra when looking from a distance. The real problem, indeed.

Photos: GM/Cadillac

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