Cadillac has introduced a new sports variant for the European BLS sedan. Rather than the usual “stick a body kit on it and call it ‘sporty’” routine, the new BLS has some real changes under the skin, including a lowered suspension and changes to both front and rear axles for more dynamic handling. Inside, buyers get swathes of aluminium instead of the usual wood inserts, while the instrument clusters have been changed to reflect the new sportiness.

You can get the sports package on all engine models, including the lowly 110kW diesel. The highest output model comes with a 2.8L six-cylinder engine developing 188kW.

Whether this will inject new life into straggling BLS sales or simply show GM that they don’t have what it takes to compete in the European luxo market is something that we’ll have to wait and see.