CarSPIN

Who knew Escalades wouldn’t sell in Europe? Well, umm, everyone! Including GM. That’s why they invented the Saab 9-3-based Cadillac BLS (and BLS sport). It’s built in Sweden, and will go on sale this week. Four engines will be mated to either a five or six speed manual or automatic transmission, including a 1.9L diesel engine and a 255HP V6 sport. Standard gasoline engines will come in the form of a 175HP and 210HP four-banger.

Of all newspapers, the Budapest Sun took a test drive, and reported on gas mileage:

With a top speed of 210km/h, it has claimed figures for the manual of 8.1lt per100km, on the urban run, 4.9 on the extra-urban cycle and 6.1 combined. While those figures may not have environmentalists exactly popping the champagne corks and declaring an end to global warming, they are pretty much unheard of for a Cadillac. For comparison’s sake, the most fuel efficient of the petrol units, coupled to a manual gear box, returns figures of 11.2, 6.3 and 8.1.

It will be appearing in North America - but, you’ll have to live south of the border to get your hands on one. Unfortunately, this looks like yet another car we won’t get stateside. Come on, GM - the last Euro Caddy you brought over wasn’t THAT bad. (It zigged, remember?)