GLOBAL TEAMWORK; A hit? a token effort? something in between? the next chapter in Cadillac's worldwide dream launches.(News)

Byline: MATT DAVIS

2005 WAS CADILLAC'S best year in Europe, with sales up 73 percent. Cadillac sold just 2145 CLS, STS, SRX and XLR models, but still, that's something to crow about.

The BLS-B Luxury Sedan to most, "Bob Lutz Special'' to others-has received lots of guff since its debut at the end of 2004. Back then it was open season on the "Saabaru'' 9-2X, and the Saab 9-3-based BLS initially struck us similarly. Luckily, we can now report this time GM got it pretty dang right.

Yes, the BLS is mostly like the 9-3 sport sedan underneath. And the steering wheel and handbrake are exactly as in the Saab. But 85 percent of the BLS exterior and 80 percent of its interior are re-created. The tires are different, for a softer ride, and the suspension is slightly softer.

The BLS is a legitimate European sports sedan with proper ride and handling that helps bridge the difference between U.S. tastes and European needs. Besides changes to the damper rates, the engine mounts and bushings are less dense, and the insulation from road and wind noise exceeds the 9-3.

Front-drive steering that remains very light even at high speeds is a Saab trait. In snow, ice and mud, or at low speeds, the Cadillac's feathery steering is perfect. At high speeds, it is less than optimal.

GM's BLS team assures us the car's steering feel occupied the most time of anything in the planning stages. The result is a notable difference in the weight of the steering action. Ideally the BLS would have gotten variable ...