| Cadillac Launches Estate Car | ||
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(Thu 24 Jan 08) The first estate car in the 104-year history of American manufacturer Cadillac has just gone on sale in the UK.
It's called the BLS Wagon, and it's based on the existing (but, as we'll see shortly, updated) BLS saloon, though it's both longer and taller. Luggage space is 419 litres with the rear seat in place and 1273 up to the window line when it's folded down. Despite the extra load-carrying ability, there is no price premium over the saloon. The BLS range in general has been heavily revised for 2008. There is now just one trim level, which is called Elegance and includes leather upholstery, heated and powered front seats, an 11-speaker Bose Surround Sound audio system, DVD satellite navigation, Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone compatibility, dual zone climate control, parking sensors and electronic dynamic stability control. The only optional extras are metallic paint at £500 and an electric glass sunroof at £650. The choice of engines has also been extended. The 148bhp version of the excellent GM/Fiat-developed 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine has been joined by a new 177bhp alternative, which gives the BLS saloon a 0-60mph time of 8.7 seconds and 47.9mpg combined fuel economy. Meanwhile, there's a two-litre turbocharged Flexpower engine which produces 197bhp and can run on either regular petrol or E85 bioethanol. The two petrol versions of this engine, producing 173bhp and 207bhp, are still available, as is the 252bhp 2.8-litre V6. All engines come with six-speed manual gearboxes (five-speed in the case of the Flexpower models), or - for an extra £1350 - with automatic transmission. Prices start at £21,495 for the 148bhp diesel or 173bhp petrol cars in manual form, and extend to £28,845 for the 2.8 V6 automatic. |
