Green and lean Caddy!

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 13, 2006

A cadillac has achieved an average of more than 55mpg in Britain's toughest economy challenge.

The US brand's reputation for gas guzzlers has been laid to rest by two diesel-powered BLS saloons.

They were placed second and third in class in the AA/ALD Automotive MPG Marathon, beaten only by a Toyota Avensis 2.2-litre D-4D which averaged 68.2mpg over the two day event.

With fuel prices hitting record levels this year's marathon had added importance.

I drove one of the Cadillacs over a grueling 360-mile course through the West Country which saw one BLS average 55.6mpg and the other 52.14, an improvement of 20% over the official combined fuel consumption figure of 46.3mpg.

The event was won outright by a Toyota Aygo 1.4-litre diesel which achieved 83.44mpg

At the end of the first day's competition the Cadillacs were averaging close to 60mpg but their performance was pegged back by heavy traffic.

The result makes the BLS the most economical Cadillac ever. Built in Sweden and designed for the European market, the BLS is a large executive saloon with the diesel version priced from pounds 21,473. It is powered by 1.9-litre engine developing 148bhp and is no slouch with a claimed top speed in excess of 130mph and a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 9.5 seconds.

Optimum economy comes between 1,200 and 1,500 revs which meant during the MPG Marathon average speed was kept to 30mph. However, under normal driving conditions I managed in excess of 48mpg making the BLS one of the most frugal large saloons around.

At one point during the challenge, the vehicle's onboard computer showed a theoretical range in excess of 1,000 miles from its 12.8 gallon tank ( almost double the official distance.

In all 24 vehicles took part.