The 2008 Cadillac BLS Wagon is powered by a 2.0 liter bio-ethanol fuel option with 200 hp (147 kW) or a new two-stage turbo diesel engine developing 180 hp (132 kW). In the spring of 2008 a 2.8 liter V6 turbo engine will also be available for the 2008 Cadillac BLS Wagon.
Cadillac Press Release:
2008 CADILLAC BLS WAGON; NEW MEMBER OF THE CADILLAC FAMILY
- First station wagon in Cadillac’s history
- New 2.0 liter bio-ethanol fuel option with 200 hp (147 kW)*
- New two-stage turbo diesel engine with 180 hp (132 kW)
- Optional all-wheel drive for Wagon and sedan
- StabiliTrak standard on all trim levels, also for BLS sedan
LISBON - The 2008 Cadillac BLS includes a new wagon version, the addition of a new bio-ethanol engine and a new, powerful two-stage turbo diesel engine. All-wheel drive will be available in spring of 2008 with the 2.8 liter V-6 turbo for both the sedan and Wagon.
Both of the BLS models will be offered with two direct-injected, 1.9 liter common rail turbo-diesel engines that are fitted with maintenance-free diesel particulate filters and either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. The base diesel engine has an output of 150 hp (110 kW) and 300 Nm of torque. New is a 180 hp (132 kW) two-stage turbo-diesel delivering 400 Nm of maximum torque, giving the BLS a top speed of 220 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.1 seconds. Sales of the new two-stage turbo diesel start in December 2007.
The BLS Wagon and sedan will also be the first
Cadillac models to be offered in Europe with the option of a low-emission, bio-ethanol engine. The BLS 2.0 liter FLEXPOWER will go on sale in November 2007. Like the three turbocharged gasoline engines and the two turbo-diesels, the 200 hp (147 kW)* turbocharged FLEXPOWER engine offers the dynamic performance customers have come to expect from Cadillac, when using bio-ethanol (E85) as an alternative to traditional gasoline. The FLEXPOWER engine runs on E85 bio-ethanol, unleaded gasoline or any combination of both fuels.
Exterior: expressive design combined with wagon versatility
As the first station wagon in Cadillac’s 104-year history, the BLS Wagon marks a new milestone for the brand. Clear, crisp and sharply defined contours, characteristic Cadillac design features and a striking wedge shape that is emphasized by the tapered lines of the side windows all make the Cadillac BLS Wagon an appealing new entry in the midsize station wagon segment.
“The BLS Wagon is a strong addition to the Cadillac portfolio for customers seeking dramatically designed luxury vehicles that offer versatility and performance along with outstanding ride and handling,” said
Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. “We think it will do well in many European markets where consumers desire a high degree of versatility and functionality in their vehicles.”
From the front bumper and Cadillac hallmark V-shaped chrome-plated grille, to the trademark vertical tail lamps with the latest LED technology and rear bumper, the Cadillac BLS Wagon measures 4,716 mm, compared with 4,680 mm for the BLS sedan. At 2,038 mm wide (including exterior rear view mirrors) and 1,543 mm in height (including roof rails and roof antenna), the BLS Wagon combines a compact, sporty shape with a high degree of versatility and functionality.
The BLS sedan and wagon also feature jewel-like headlamps, fog lamps integrated into the body-color front bumper and a wide air intake below the grille. A narrow chrome strip runs along the side windows accentuating the car’s striking wedge shape and contoured lines.
Interior: luxurious atmosphere and state-of-the-art infotainment systems
The Cadillac BLS Wagon offers plenty of interior space to support a wide variety of luxury and leisure interests. With the rear seats in use, the cargo space measures 419 liters loading space, with an additional 12 liters below the floor. With the rear seats folded down, the total amount adds up to 1,285 liters of space.
Standard equipment consists of silver roof rails, dark tinted glass rearward of the B-pillar, a tailgate opening with a chrome sill plate, a cargo cover, cargo net and chrome cargo hooks. The interior of the BLS Wagon is highlighted by a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel and an analog clock in the center stack. The circular instruments have white numerals and red needles on a black background. Optional refinements include leather seating surfaces and heated seats.
Four trim levels are available: Business, Elegance, Sport and Sport Luxury. The standard Business trim level offers 16-inch alloy wheels, Cadillac’s StabiliTrak electronic stability program engine immobilizer, front, side and head curtain airbags, trip computer, three-spoke leather steering wheel with control buttons, cruise control, air conditioning, a seven-speaker audio system with CD player and “Piano Black” interior decor trim. Leather seat upholstery, a Bose sound system, DVD navigation system and wood interior trip is a package option for the Business trim level.
The intermediate trim level, Elegance, features additional equipment, including wiper rain sensors, eight-way power seats, dual-zone climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels. Red walnut wood veneer trim enhances the interior decor.
The Cadillac BLS Sport adds 18-inch wheels and lowered sports suspension for the front McPherson struts and four-link rear axle. The chassis tuning ensures dynamic handling performance without compromising comfort. The BLS Sport interior is highlighted by the use of stylish aluminum trim instead of wood and the circular instruments have white numerals and red needles on a black background.
The Sport Luxury level is available in combination with the 2.8 V6 engine and the 1.9 turbo-diesel engines. In addition to the Sport content, it includes Bi-Xenon headlamps, heated and electrically adjustable leather seats with memory function and wood, instead of aluminum, trim.
The premium audio system from Bose includes new Centerpoint® simulated surround sound and additional rear-door speakers.
Turbo-charged engines: three gasoline, two turbo-diesel and one bio-ethanol
The front-wheel-drive BLS sedan and Wagon are offered with a large range of power units, giving consumers the choice of three turbocharged gasoline engines, two turbo-diesels, and a turbocharged bio-ethanol engine. The 1.9L four-cylinder base diesel with common rail direct-injection technology develops 150 hp (110 kW) and 320 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm. In addition, a powerful new 1.9L four-cylinder diesel with common-rail direct-injection delivers 180 hp (132 kW) and 400 Nm of maximum torque at 1850 rpm.
The gasoline engine offerings — all turbocharged — include two, 2.0 liter four-cylinder versions (175 hp/129 kW and 210 hp/154 kW and a 2.8L six-cylinder engine at 255 hp (188 kW), which features a twin-scroll turbocharger and variable phasing of the intake camshafts. The new 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo-charged E85 bio-ethanol engine develops 200 hp (147 kW.)* The BLS Wagon offers a six-speed manual transmission and five- or six-speed automatic transmissions, depending on the engine.
All-Wheel Drive: optional for sedan and wagon
All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Transfer technology will be available on both the BLS sedan and Wagon with the 2.8L V-6 turbo engine in the spring of 2008. This latest-generation Haldex technology is activated when needed and works with the electronic stability system to provide enhanced vehicle control. It electronically engages the clutch before take-off, avoiding wheel spin and achieving immediate and maximum traction. No front wheel slip is required before the rear wheels are engaged. AWD models with the 2.8L V-6 receive a horsepower upgrade to 280 hp (from 255 hp).
StabiliTrak: now standard
All BLS models now have StabiliTrak electronic stability control as standard. Model year 2008 also includes standard Tire Pressure Monitoring on the Sport and Sport Luxury trim levels.
2008 CADILLAC BLS WAGON OFFERS LUXURY INTERIOR AND INFOTAINMENT FEATURES
- High-quality Bose Centerpoint® system
- High-end navigation system with 6.5-inch touch-screen operation
- Advanced driver assistance systems
LISBON - The BLS Wagon features a full entertainment package, which includes high-quality sound systems, a navigation system with touch-screen operation and a universal hands-free phone kit.
The audio systems: superb sound quality
The BLS Wagon comes standard with a powerful high-fidelity sound system that includes a radio, CD player and seven speakers. An optional audio system from Bose includes Centerpoint® signal processing circuitry, simulated surround sound, which allows listeners to enjoy a surround-sound experience from their existing CD collections and MP3 CDs. The Bose Centerpoint system includes eleven speakers, including rear-door speakers with Neodymium technology.
The optional system includes:
- Bass management: using a proprietary algorithm, engineered specifically for the acoustics of the BLS Wagon’s cabin.
- Digital signal processing: custom-designed for the BLS sedan and BLS Wagon, this digital signal processing circuitry delivers a natural tonal timbre. Music sounds full and detailed, speech sounds natural, and the system can approach live performance levels without distortion.
- Neodymium speaker technology: neodymium iron boron magnets significantly reduce the system’s weight without sacrificing acoustic performance.
Both sound systems can also play MP3 music files and can be operated conveniently and safely via buttons on the steering wheel. These buttons can also control the on-board computer.
The navigation system: easy and convenient to use
The navigation system has a 6.5-inch color LED screen and uses DVDs as the software storage medium. The system supports Traffic Message Channel (TMC). Operating the optional navigation system is easy and can be controlled via speech recognition or touch-screen technology.
The universal hands-free kit: a convenient solution for most mobile phones
The BLS Wagon also offers an optional hands-free mobile phone kit, for use with a universal hands-free phone. The system features a universal console that accepts multiple brands of phones via an adaptor. Adapter connection units are currently available for compatible Nokia, Motorola, Siemens and Sony Ericsson phones.
When owners buy a new phone that’s a different brand from their original phone, they only need to replace the adaptor; there’s no need to buy a new hands-free kit. Owners of Bluetooth-enabled phones also can use this wireless technology, as the BLS Wagon is prepared for Bluetooth connectivity.
Innovative automatic air conditioning: detects weather changes in advance
The BLS sedan and Wagon feature standard two-zone automatic air conditioning on the upper-trim levels. The benefit of this electronically controlled system is that the driver only needs to set the desired temperature; the system then automatically controls air cooling or heating, distribution and fan speed. It also allows different settings for the driver and passenger side. The system measures interior temperature in real time using a patented mathematical energy balance model, so it automatically adjusts the cooling before the climate in the automobile actually changes.
Useful assistance systems
- Parking assist: ultrasonic sensors transmit sound waves, calculate the distance between the vehicle and an obstruction and emit audible warning signals if the object is too close.
- Rain sensor: the windscreen wipers activate automatically in rain. Light-emitting diodes inside the rain sensor transmit invisible infrared rays that are reflected by the front windscreen. Photo diodes detect precipitation when the rain drops break the infrared beams.
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror: to prevent drivers from being blinded at night by the headlights of the vehicle behind, the rearview mirror darkens automatically when necessary. Two sensors measure the difference between the ambient light and the light falling directly onto the mirror. If the light coming from behind is stronger than the ambient light, the mirror darkens.
Electronics platform: foundation for the entertainment systems
Three data bus systems form a Controller Area Network (CAN) interact to exchange information between various sensors, control devices and actuators in fractions of a second. This electronics platform is the basis for the high-end infotainment features on the BLS wagon. CAN BUS is fast, has high capacity and is flexible enough to accommodate additional features in future model years. It also saves weight compared to traditional copper cables.
The slowest bus, which has a transfer speed of 33.3 kbit/s (kilobits per second), controls the exchange of information between the comfort-enhancing components such as the electric window regulators. The second-fastest data bus (500 kbit/s) is responsible for engine management. And on the third data highway for the infotainment systems, signal transmission occurs at the speed of light, using glass-fiber cables instead of conventional metal wires. Data transfer is performed with the aid of light impulses and, at 25 Mbit/s, is around 50 times faster than a conventional twin bus.
2008 CADILLAC BLS WAGON EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OFFER CADILLAC STYLE AND SAFETY
- Styling: Bold Cadillac design in a new body style
- Safety: Body structure and restraint systems offer protection
- Interior: Luxurious, spacious and versatile ambience
LISBON – Expressive design has always been a Cadillac hallmark. Elements such as vertical headlights and taillights and a unique wedge shape that tapers to the front have characterized Cadillac’s CTS, STS, XLR and SRX models. The new BLS Wagon continues this distinctive style.
The design: contemporary lines, elegant details
The BLS Wagon features striking vertical lines in the front and rear, enhanced with a V-shaped chrome-framed grille and similar V-shaped styling of the center high-mounted brake light and license-plate surround. Clear, crisp and sharply defined contours, characteristic Cadillac design features and a striking wedge shape that is emphasized by the tapered lines of the side windows all make the Cadillac BLS Wagon an appealing new entry in the midsize station wagon segment.
In front, vertically oriented headlights featuring bi-xenon technology (optional) reside directly above integrated fog lamps and on both sides of the prominent, chrome-framed grille. Body-colored door handles and chrome rails along the windows add a luxury touch.
The BLS Wagon features the latest LED technology in the center high-mounted brake light, which is prominently positioned on the trunk lid and extends across almost the entire width of the vehicle. The advantage of this technology is that the brake lights illuminate faster, which improves the avoidance response times of surrounding drivers. The LED brake light bulbs also last significantly longer than conventional bulbs.
The vehicle’s distinctive wedge shape is very aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.33. The dual-purpose center high-mounted stop light also functions as a spoiler to improve the airflow over the body, reducing fuel consumption and increasing driving stability.
The body: compact, torsionally rigid and safe
The BLS Wagon, tailored to European automobile drivers’ tastes and needs for both performance and versatility, is one of the most compact models ever built by Cadillac.
Following are several key dimensions:
Cadillac BLS Wagon
Length (mm) 4,716 mm
Width (mm),
without side mirrors 1,802
Height (mm) incl. antenna 1,543 mm
Wheelbase (mm) 2,675
Track width front/rear (mm) 1,524/1,506
Cargo space
(according to VDA) Rear seats in use: 419 liters
Rear seats folded: 1,285 liters, including 12 liters beneath floor
A safety cage protects the interior. The passenger compartment is made predominantly of high-strength steel and features posts for extra strength. In the event of a frontal collision, the energy is distributed to three main load paths and defined deformation zones. Deformable crash boxes behind the front fenders prevent damage to the body in impacts up to 15 km/h.
To protect occupants during side impacts, the door pillars function much like a pendulum, ‘hinging’ at the top and swinging in at the base in a controlled movement. This deflects the energy of the impact from the occupants’ head and chest regions.
The body structure uses a combination of lightweight aluminum, higher-strength and super high-strength steels. The Cadillac BLS Wagon has a torsional resistance of 21 kNm per degree, benefiting driving comfort and passive safety.
The interior: luxurious ambience and generous space
The interior of the BLS Wagon is highlighted by a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and an analog clock in the center stack. The circular instruments have white numerals and red needles on a black background. Optional refinements include leather seating surfaces and heated seats.
The spacious BLS Wagon seats five people comfortably. The headroom in front (988 mm) and legroom at the back (892 mm) are among the best in its class. The trunk capacity of 419 liters, not including 12 liters of additional hidden storage space beneath the cargo floor, can be increased by folding the rear seat for an additional 866 liters of space or a total of 1,285 liters of flexible and versatile cargo space.
The protective devices: assistance in emergency situations
The BLS Wagon has the following safety features:
- Front air bags with a volume of 60 / 101 liters (driver/passenger)
- Side and curtain air bags, which protect the driver and passenger as well as the outer two rear-seat passengers in the event of side-impact collisions
- Active headrests in the front seats, which reduce the risk of whiplash injuries by limiting the movement of the head in a rear-end collision are standard on all models
- Headrests and three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions
- Seatbelt tensioners and force limiters on the front seats and exterior rear seats
2008 CADILLAC BLS WAGON PROVIDES CRISP HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE
- Engines: Three turbocharged gasoline engines, two turbo-diesels, and a 200 hp (147 kW) FLEXPOWER turbocharged bio-ethanol engine*
- Transmissions: six-speed manual and automatic transmissions
- Chassis: Independent suspension and Stabilitrak electronic stability system
- All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Transfer technology
LISBON – Like all Cadillacs, the BLS Wagon has been designed for the requirements and needs of demanding drivers. As a result, this front-wheel drive car emphasizes vehicle dynam-ics and driving enjoyment, with high-torque turbo engines, modern transmissions and a chassis tuned for agility.
Turbo-charged engines and transmissions: A wide choice
Diesels: Both the BLS sedan and wagon will be offered with two direct-injected, 1.9 liter com-mon rail turbo-diesel engines that are fitted with maintenance-free diesel particulate filters re-quiring no additives. The purification process is designed to reduce hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) with an upstream primary catalytic converter and an under-floor catalytic converter. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic trans-mission.
The base diesel engine has an output of 150 hp (110 kW). New is a 180 hp (132 kW) two-stage turbo-diesel delivering 400 Nm of maximum torque, giving the BLS a top speed of 220 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.1 seconds. The diesel will be available on all BLS mod-els, starting in December 2007.
Gasoline: The two 2.0L four-cylinder turbo gasoline engines develop 175 and 210 hp (129 and 154 kW respectively) and share a basic design and an excellent output characteristic. The maximum torque of 265 or 300 Nm respectively is available at just 2500 rpm, which means high pulling power at low and medium speeds.
The 2.8L V-6 aluminum engine has a twin-scroll turbocharger and output of 255 hp (188 kW) and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1800 rpm. This state-of-the-art powerplant offers plenty of power in all driving conditions. The intercooled turbocharger, located centrally above the trans-mission, has an integral charge pressure control valve.
The all-aluminum engines are square (bore/stroke: 86 millimeters) and have twin chain-driven overhead camshafts. Balancing shafts and a dual-mass flywheel ensure refinement in noise and vibrations. The turbocharger is positioned immediately behind the transverse engine, thereby guaranteeing that the front catalytic converter warms up quickly. This reduces fuel con-sumption and cold-start emissions.
The turbine wheel is made of high-quality special alloy steel. Separate channels – one per cyl-inder bank – divide the exhaust impulses and impact positively on the exhaust flow and on en-ergy losses and the turbocharger’s effectiveness.
The continuously variable, electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated phasing of the intake camshafts ensures rapid response and plenty of torque even at lower speeds. The cam-shafts can be rotated with respect to the crankshaft across a range of 50 degrees. This opti-mally aligns the valve timing and the gas exchange to the engine load and speed. The intake and outlet camshafts are made of high-strength aluminum, which means they are lightweight, heat-resistant and have a long service life.
Bio-Ethanol: The BLS Wagon and sedan will be the first Cadillac models to be offered in Europe with the option of a low-emission, turbocharged bio-ethanol engine. The BLS 2.0 liter FLEXPOWER engine will go on sale in November 2007. Like the three turbocharged gasoline engines and the two turbo-diesels, the 200 hp (147 kW)* FLEXPOWER engine offers the dy-namic performance customers have come to expect from Cadillac, while using bio-ethanol (E85) as an alternative to traditional gasoline. The FLEXPOWER engine runs on E85 bio-ethanol, unleaded gasoline or any combination of both fuels.
The chassis: Dynamic handling characteristics without comprising comfort
With a wheelbase of 2675 millimeters and a wide track width of 1524/1506 millimeters (front/rear), the BLS Wagon provides the right geometric conditions for balanced handling. The chassis, which has McPherson struts in front and a four-link rear axle, is designed for powerful engines and high performance. The chassis tuning and rack-and-pinion steering ensures dy-namic handling without compromising comfort.
The Cadillac BLS Wagon’s sophisticated braking system features standard ventilated disc brakes front and rear. The discs measure 285 millimeters at the front and have a diameter of 278 millimeters at the rear for the entry-level model (up-level 2.8 V-6: 314/292 millimeters front /rear). In addition to four-channel ABS, Traction Control System (TCS) and electronic brake assist, the Cadillac is also fitted with Cornering Brake Control (CBC). When the brakes are ap-plied on a bend, CBC regulates the brake pressure at each wheel individually, increasing cor-nering stability.
StabiliTrak: now standard
For Europe, the StabiliTrak electronic stability system is standard on all BLS models in 2008. In critical driving situations, the system assists the driver in helping the chassis follow the direction of steering ascertained by a steering angle sensor. Further monitoring input is provided by yaw rate and ABS speed sensors as well as the engine management system. In the case of devia-tion from the intended path, automatic brake application at the individual wheels pulls the car back in line.
All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Transfer Technology
Both the BLS sedan and BLS Wagon equipped with the 2.8L V-6 turbo engine will be available with all-wheel drive beginning in the spring of 2008. This combination includes a horsepower upgrade to 280 hp (from 250 hp). This latest generation Haldex technology is activated when needed and works with the electronic stability system to provide enhanced vehicle control. It electronically engages the clutch before take-off, avoiding wheel spin and achieving immediate and maximum traction. No front wheel slip is required before the rear wheels are engaged.
Besides enhancing driving pleasure and safety, the Cadillac engineers also focused on
noise and vibration isolation. Outside noises, as well as vibration and harshness, are kept as far away from the passengers as possible. This was achieved via a series of measures imple-mented in the diesel and gasoline models alike. For excellent road surface isolation, the front and rear chassis have additionally tuned rubber bushings, and the wheelhouses, roof and trunk are specially sound-insulated. Also, a specifically tuned tire is standard for up-level models to improve noise levels.
