2005 Cadillac BLS Concept

Where the driver-focused, wraparound dash of any Saab places drivers in a snug, jet-like cockpit, the BLS' interior is more

The baby Caddy features a Bose CD audio head unit with easy-to-navigate controls and touch screen LCD navigation. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

traditionally designed. Brushed aluminum trim and burled wood accent the straightforward dashboard. Moving from the bottom up, the baby Caddy features a trio of simple-to-operate push-button rotary dial knobs for climate, a Bose CD audio head unit with easy-to-navigate controls and touch screen LCD navigation, and, at the very top of the center stack, an analogue clock borrowed from the new DTS luxury sedan. Built-in Bluetooth gives the BLS a techno-link, allowing interactivity between the car and cell phones, PDAs and laptops.

When the BLS goes on sale in Europe, a total of five engines will be available to consumers, three of which are turbocharged gasoline, and two diesels. As you may have guessed, the gasoline engines are borrowed from Saab's lineup, and they include a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, rated at 175 hp for the base model and 210 horsepower for the midrange model. The top gas-powered motor is the all-new

When the BLS goes on sale in Europe, a total of five engines will be available to consumers. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

2.8-litre turbo V6 with variable valve timing that cranks out an impressive 250 horsepower.

Since the disastrous naturally-aspirated diesel V8s of the 1980s, Cadillac has shied away from alternative fuels; however, to succeed in Europe, the BLS must bear the burden of diesel. This time around, Cadillac is in luck, as the oil-burner it will utilize is the new 1.9-litre JTD common-rail turbodiesel. Developed by GM and Fiat, this motor has been proclaimed as best in its class by the European media. Producing an estimated 150 and 180 horsepower depending on specification, these diesels are potent but clean as they're equipped with a particle filter. Both gasoline and diesel motors will be available with manual or automatic gearboxes.