Cadillac CTS test drive since 2007 sedan

Your own among strangers

The compact model Cadillac CTS was created to promote the American brand in Europe and Russia. We were convinced of this, having traveled 500 miles for three days on different roads of the New World.
The Japanese active attack on the American automobile market forced General Motors to master other, previously not occupied sectors. The concern resolved the question of the global promotion of its mass brand Chevrolet quite simply by buying a bankrupt Korean Daewoo, which produces many available models in demand in various countries. But with sales of the premium Cadillac there were difficulties. Few outside the United States are ready to buy long and voracious sedans who travel along the road, as if floating along the waves. Europeans prefer to solve the problem of comfortable driving by building even roads, and not creating soft cars. To promote Cadillac on the European market, the company has created a compact model CTS (Compact Touring Sedan), adapted to the needs of the inhabitants of the Old World. The first generation of CTS entered the market in 2000, and this January a 2008 model year’s car arrived in Russia.
 
Our meeting with CTS took place in the very center of business America, in Manhattan, which is noticed by traffic jams no less than the metropolitan MKAD. At the same time, they go along Manhattan mainly on large sedans and even on pickups. It seems that transfer all Americans to compact cars and road places will be twice as much, and the problem with parking will be solved. However, no one wants to abandon large cars. Long bodies and large wheels increase comfort in the cabin, which encroaches a huge number of pits and bumps, decorating almost all the local roads. Perhaps, in terms of asphalt, Moscow routes are no worse than the passing part of Manhattan. Or maybe even better.
 
CTS looks impressive. A huge coarse radiator grill, and the skyscrapers of vertical headlights immediately indicate American origin. However, in this Cadillac, unlike his older brothers and sisters, there is no excessive sweep and fat, from which not only the Americans themselves, but also their cars suffer. The CTS car is pulled and strict, like a graduate of Harvard University, but it is completely impossible to confuse it with a graduate of British Oxford. Cadillac has more chrome and gloss, which Europeans prefer not to stick out.
 
The little things that the Americans previously neglected are attracted to attention. On the front wings are neat ventilation gills, and the hood itself is made of plastic, which allows not only to reduce the total mass, but also to reduce the center of gravity of the machine. The interior CTS pleases with high quality finishes. The lines on the front panel create an idea that it is sheathed with leather. The material does not make the impression of natural to the touch, but it looks very good. This is especially pleasant when you recall the traditionally low quality of the interior of American machines.
 
We got a version with an optional navigation system, which in the United States is necessary regardless of whether you wander in the center of New York or in a relatively calm Boston. Without navigation, understanding the intricacies of an incredibly extensive network of roads is very difficult, because acquaintance with the machine began with the study of the capabilities of the system. A sliding display with the Touch Screen function, the abundance of buttons on the central console all this creates premium, which was not enough Cadillac before. For more convenient management of auxiliary functions, the joystick would not interfere, like BMW or Mercedes, although in a couple of days you get used to do without it.
 
The driver’s chair is hard, with convenient electrical regulators and a large range of movement in length and height. It would be nice to reduce the diameter of the steering wheel, but this is rather a nit -picking. The steering itself is perfectly configured: the light steering wheel with rising speed is noticeably heavy, and on the circular interchanges of the highway you can even polyghat a little, which used to be absolutely unattainable. CTS pleases with the minimum roll and the complete absence of swing. The car without delay should be the driver of the driver. Cadillac is now really nice to drive, and not feel like a passenger with a steering wheel in your hands. Of course, the payment for excellent responsiveness was the smoothness of the course. The abundance of potholes on the roads forces to squeeze the steering wheel tighter, but CTS stands steadfastly all the blows that fall to its lot. The sharp steering wheel allows you to go around the majority of the bumps, and those that cannot be avoided are absorbed by a very energy -intensive suspension.
 
An even greater impression was made by the motor. This is not a classic American eight with a mighty low-frequency roar, but the latest 304-horsepower V6 with a volume of 3.6 liters with direct fuel injection. Such capacities will be envied by many European manufacturers, and given that Cadillac is equipped with the latest 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, then on the road with it you can do anything. Naturally, within the framework of the current legislation, since the fines in the United States cannot be compared with ours, and it will not be possible to agree with the policy on the spot. Therefore, the tests for maximum speed had to be postponed until better times. But the accelerated dynamics turned out to be magnificent (after all, no one controls how quickly the car accelerates to the most permitted speeds on highway). According to factory data, a speed of 60 miles/h (96 km/h) CTS is gaining in 5.9 seconds. Moreover, thanks to a complete drive, he does this in almost any weather, regardless of whether dry or wet asphalt under the wheels.
 
And how wonderful the soundtrack has a great engine! The bass rumble emits hidden power, but at the same time does not press at the ears at all. Even when acceleration to the floor in the cabin, you can talk or listen to the annotations of the navigation system, and with a calm ride, at a speed of 110 140 km/h in the cabin complete silence. The fact that the car does not stand still resembles only a light whistle of wind, which is cut by sharp faces of the body.
 
Great acoustic comfort is achieved primarily thanks to the stretched gear numbers in the machine. The tachometer arrow when driving along the highway rarely rises above 2000 rpm., Which also provides a fairly low gasoline consumption. For all the time of traveling in America, where there were not only highway, but also traffic jams, and sharp accelerations, fuel consumption was less than 10 liters per 100 km, which is considered a magnificent result for a powerful all -wheel drive sedan.
 
Having traveled to Cadillac CTS more than 500 miles, you come to the conclusion that it was created specifically for Russia. The car has an excellent all -wheel drive transmission, which is useful in winter and in summer. A great choice for active drivers who want to get a truly bright and stylish sports sedan. In addition, the prestigious Cadillac promises to be cheaper than German competitors with similar capacity. The price of an all -wheel drive CTS with a 3.6 liter engine starts from 1,400,000 rubles (about $ 58,000), while rivals from Germany are from $ 80,000. The basic CTS with rear -wheel drive and a 2.8 l motor (210 liters. .) will cost from 1,249,407 rubles ($ 51,000).
 
For the United States, Cadillac CTS is too sports, they do not like such cars there. Tough speed restrictions and a measured lifestyle kill any pleasure from driving for which this car is created. Yes, and the salon and trunk by American standards are completely small. In Europe, CTS is also unlikely to wait for a bright market future. It is too great and voracious, in addition, in the countries of the Old World there are very strong positions of German manufacturers. Although the CTS will still take a small niche of CTS, especially in Burgher Germany, where a powerful Caddy motor will be opened in full.
 
Technical characteristics of Cadillac CTS
Type 4-door sedan
Engine 3.6 liters, 304 liters. With.
The drive is full with 6-st. automatically
Maximum speed 239 km/h
Acceleration to 100 km/h 5.9 s
Price from 1,400,000 rubles (about $ 58,000)
 
Igor Sirin
 

Source: Wheel (company)