Cadillac CTS test drive since 2007 sedan

Tin Woodman

In a close underground parking, Cadillac CTS looked like a beast in a cage rocking predatoryly, but could not bite. I hastened to free him. Interestingly, he is the same ferocious on the road, what is it like in the parking lot?
 
I immediately understand this beast more carefully: 3.6 liters under the hood, rear -wheel drive. He pressed a little more on the right pedal, and the car with a light slip of the system with a light slip, the car, under the wink of a light bulb. At first, this behavior was amused and pleased, but after half an hour spent in a sluggish traffic jam, it began to annoy. This is not a graceful predator, but some kind of iron lumberjack!
The city does not want to let go. And food with torn iron dances from traffic lights to a traffic light. Nothing, I will take my own later, in the meantime, I look around inside. If you compare the interior with the past generation, then progress is obvious. The entire upper part of the cabin (front panel and window sills) is covered with soft specific shagen skin (as on the SRX crossover). At first it can be confused with expensive plastic. But the seats are not plastic, even to the touch, the skin is cool, you understand this at once. Yes, and the seats themselves, in the profile resembling the Saabovsky, are good. A convenient position is easily located using exhaustive, but, alas, optional, electrical adjustments. By the way, the steering column is also equipped with an electric drive. It is only a pity that in the lower position the rim overlaps the upper part of the eccentric dashboard. It is wonderful as a speedometer with a step of 30 km/h and the oil pressure indicator in the kilopascals.
But all these are trifles, it is a matter of habit. But the central stylish console liked immediately and unconditionally. Particularly conveniently spaced on the sides by the control units of a separate climate, heating and ventilation (!) Seats. Add laconic wooden jewelry around the perimeter and voila! The Americans made a whole and original interior! Perhaps his only tangible drawback is a tight second row. But this has long been accustomed to condescendingly some premium European competitors CTS.
However, Europeans fully pay for this tightness with quality, style, ergonomics. And what? It does not reach a little, everywhere a little. The quality is a little behind, the control computer is abstruse, when passing the irregularities, creaks are also heard! A huge hatch in the roof leaks! But, having discarded the shortcomings, I recognize attempts to keep up to the leg (read the Germans) are obvious and far from in vain. And if you recall the cadillacs ten years ago, then you begin to be proud of the CTS interior.
The cork is absorbed and I recover the accelerator pedal
I remember the six of the same volume, installed on the SRX, left a pleasant impression. The CTS engine is significantly modernized. He received direct injection and regulated phases of gas distribution. The result was a power increase to impressive 311 hp. I squeeze the gas into the floor in the hope of a powerful response. And I get it, but with a second delay in Kick Dawn. The blow when switching down, like an ax with an ax, and Caddy is rapidly taken forward, announcing the district with an excellent metal roar at high speeds. Sweet music for the ears of any fan of speed! If a real iron lumberjack went to Goodwin behind the heart, then CTS is just right to poison the new gearbox.
A six -speed GM production machine is not a pair of this cool motor. Switching is neither smooth nor speed. The sports regime does not save the speed of the box only increases, and the tremors become more tangible. Moreover, the current transmission is sometimes held unjustified for a long time. The manual regime significantly improves the state of affairs, but there is a slight disappointment of steering wheel petals here. Supports the initiative of the power plant decent handling. Compared to the model of the past generation, the track was expanded, and the suspension was reconfigured to the more driver. After installing the anterior aluminum subframe and transferring the battery to the trunk, it was possible to achieve perfect weightlifting. All this made the sedan much more understandable and sensitive in management without prejudice to traditional comfort.
The hydraulic wrap allows you to feel the front wheels excellent, which is uncharacteristic for most Americans. Both the effort and the information on the steering wheel are almost optimal for a car of this class and orientation (read the sport sedan). In any situations on a high -speed straight or winding path of Caddy, completely at ease. Of course, it does not have the severity and stunning composure of some Germans, but there is already understandability and adequacy. However, I would not advise the branded Stabilitrak stabilization system. For any provocation, whether it is the discharge or adding of gas in the corner of CTS immediately responds with a skid. Fear, unprepared drivers! At the same time, having tasted this Cadillac, you understand that he likes the ride in sliding! He is still an American, albeit European. And from the roots of Muscle Cars you just won’t get off!
I have always been skeptical about attempts by American manufacturers to make European cars. Different stories, different cultures, different values. But the new CTS brought my skepticism to nothing. Soon, very soon we will talk about Cadillac as a real Driver's Car. Moreover, in the European system of automobile values! Now in its counting five only for the undeniably original appearance. Good for an improved salon and controllability fit to Europeans. Let the CTS still be a little uncommon and somewhat reminiscent of an iron lumberjack. Give him time. He will definitely reach his goodwill, and then

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [July 2008]