Cadillac at Geneva

By James Foxall

Motor Shows

05 March 2008 13:57

What’s new on Cadillac’s Geneva Motor Show stand?

It was a festival of silver on the General Motors brand’s stand. But even combining anonymity in colour with gloomy lighting couldn’t hide the lack of new product.

The newest car was simply a light update to Caddy’s STS flagship. Now in right-hand drive there’s one trim level and a choice of two engines, one a new 3.6-litre diesel.

On show for the first time in Europe was the all-new CTS, the hot CTS-V complete with meaty bonnet power bulge and the CTS Coupe concept, all unveiled in Detroit earlier this year.

Another concept to travel over from Motor City was the Provoq, a small SUV showcasing General Motors’ fifth generation fuel cell. Of more interest to European buyers was an all-new 2.9-litre diesel engine that will power the CTS from next year.

Finally, the bland-looking BLS estate made its European debut. The first estate Caddy has ever made joins a revised line up for the brand’s smallest car. On sale now it’s got a choice of six engines ranging from 150 to 200bhp and Cadillac expect it to make up 50 per cent off sales.

The CTS Coupe concept’s the best looking Cadillac of this generation. Shame Caddy wasn’t showing a production version in Geneva.

A hybrid Escalade? Surely Cadillac would be better making something a touch smaller rather than trying to pretend this behemoth can save the planet.

Cadillac clearly wore itself out at Detroit; the knock-on was nothing of any consequence to unveil in Geneva.

1/5

By James Foxall