BLS is a sedan based on the Saab 9-3, and you can feel it from the first seconds. Outside, the car looks like a typical Cadillac, but inside, the kinship with the Swedish model is obvious. The steering wheel, seats, and instrument panel are all from its Scandinavian "brother." As General Motors representatives explained, when creating the BLS, about 90% of the budget was spent on the exterior, while only a tenth of the funds were allocated for the interior. However, it's hard to call this a drawback: the Saab 9-3 is a worthy car in itself, and most BLS owners won't even guess about the borrowed interior parts. Don't forget about safety, which has always been top-notch in Saab. Even the base version of the BLS comes with six airbags and active front headrests. So, most likely, it will earn the same five stars in EuroNCAP tests as the 9-3. From Saab, the Cadillac also inherited the engine lineup: two two-liter units and one V6 with a displacement of 2.8 liters, all turbocharged. The first two differ, in fact, only in boost level and produce 175 and 210 hp, respectively. The 255-horsepower 2.8-liter engine with a Twin-scroll turbo is the same unit installed on the Saab 9-3 Aero and Opel Vectra OPC. The Cadillac Escalade is a completely different story. It was created primarily for the American market, so the approach here is appropriate. Huge dimensions, a powerful V8, seven seats, and an incredible amount of chrome—everything from door handles to the radiator grille is covered in it. Impressive! The new Escalade is based on the current Tahoe. Compared to its predecessor, it has become more agile and comfortable. The frame rigidity has increased by 57%, which positively affected handling. The six-liter Vortec engine, which, by the way, is entirely within the wheelbase, produces 403 hp and works with a new six-speed automatic transmission. The suspension is air-based, which should guarantee a high level of comfort. The interior is also done in the American style. For example, the automatic transmission lever is on the steering column—a classic for American SUVs. But the build quality is top-notch: both the plastic and leather are pleasant to look at and touch. Only a few small details reveal the car's origin. The equipment is luxurious: from a TV and power tailgate to three-zone climate control. Unfortunately, we couldn't fully test both new models, so we'll have to wait for them to go on sale. That will happen soon: the BLS launches in October, and the Escalade will arrive closer to December. Cadillac has high hopes for the new models and expects serious sales growth. In 2004, they sold 211 cars, and in 2005—251, but the plan for 2006 is already 600 cars. By 2007, the brand intends to sell a thousand cars. It's clear that the dealer network will expand in parallel, including in the regions. Like other Cadillac models, the BLS and Escalade will be assembled at the Kaliningrad "Avtotor" plant. BLS production will start in September, and Escalade in November. The cars will go on sale about a month after assembly begins. Exact prices are still kept secret, but we managed to find out preliminary price lists for the BLS. According to them, the base version with a manual transmission and a 175-horsepower engine will cost from $32,900—a fairly attractive offer. The version with the 210-horsepower engine will cost $38,400, and the top modification with the V6 is priced at $47,900. In addition to the new models, existing models will also be updated. For example, the restyled SRX crossover received a completely new interior, where even the front panel is upholstered in leather, as well as a new 3.6-liter V6 engine with 255 hp, which works in conjunction with a new six-speed transmission.