Test Drive Cadillac Escalade since 2006 SUV
Test Drive: Cadillac Escalade
Black Escalade sparkling in solar glare on huge chrome disks - the dream of novice rappers, future sports stars and other social groups of America, who have not yet proven to this world. In Russia, he also has admirers: we have Escalade become famous long before it started to be sold officially. At the same time - no advertising and only the warmest reviews of happy owners in an informal setting.
Today, every seller Cadillac prays on Escalade: This bestseller is the Creator for a third of sales of the brand in Russia.
The size matters for America, and for Russia. We have big cars are still the best compensation of other disadvantages. In Europe, on the contrary, executive sedans and large SUVs enjoy smaller demand.
They eat unwise to a lot of euros by their expenses, and plus to this, emit a mass of harmful substances into the environment. In addition, on close European streets, there are no two oncoming Escalade. And the ability of the car to travel to the sidewalk or climbing the 20-centimeter welboration in the West is not interesting. They are fined for it, and not accepted at all.
In our latitudes, envying a proud emblem grille and a couple of harsh xenon trapezium in the rearview mirror, few people will not hurry to take the right.
We can testify: we were shakered.
Well, that's why the Escalade line up the queues of SUVs are both cutting, but the 6.2-liter engine V8 is not enough for so much fuel. By the way, with an enviable appetite: the screen of the on-board computer 10 minutes after turning on the engine showed 45 l / 100 km! But this is at all new copies at the end of the running, the flow rate should decrease to reasonable limits.
For Escalade, this limit is 20-25 l / 100 km. A 403-strong aluminum alloy motor is equipped with not only a 100-liter rapidly empty tank, but also the gas distribution phase control system. He accelerates almost three-tonic giggle to 100 km / h for 7.5 s. Did not expect such acne from the giant True, the Escalade can, only turning to the right pedal as a non-fascinated cigarette. If you gradually put pressure on gas, the return of the motor will not inspire, and overtaking will take more time than I would like. And it is not surprising, because the SUV weighs more than 2,600 kg!
By the way, not only accelerating dynamics suffer from overweight, but also brake. You should not handle the left pedal with the right one, otherwise you can drive past your stop.
In a pair with a new 6.2-liter engine, a new automatic six-speed Hydra-Matic gearbox is running. It is great: transfers are almost unnoticed, without pause when switching up or down.
Using the buttons located on the drive column of the Driver SHIFT Control system, you can control the gearbox in semi-automatic mode, switching the transmissions yourself. But personally, I doubt the need for such a system on Escalade The following systems are responsible for active safety in Cadillac: anti-test, dynamic stabilization stabilitrak and electronically controlled Road Sensing Suspension.
Claims are only for behavior on slippage off-road: unimportant cooperation of tires and stabilization systems can easily lead to passing by turning. But in emergency braking mode on the ABS asphalt, it extremely chooses the effective body of calipers. On a smooth and even covering a car stably and confidently stands on the road. Sitting what is nice, very high above the road.
Nearby are not at all dwarfs Audi Q7, BMW X5, pickups and SUVs, but all of them from the Escalade salon seem something very tiny and insignificant and still the most optimal place in Cadillac rear sofa.
First, because the steering is clearly sharpened not under the driver: the relationship of the steering wheel with the front wheels is thoroughly hidden from the driver, and the pleasure is not for everyone in the stream. The main reason for the advantage of this part of the cabin is in the rear suspension.
The Road Sensing Suspension system is included in the regular package allows shock absorbers instantly react to a change in the profile of the road, which is why any road troubles are felt much weaker than in front.
The gallery will be able to comfortably accommodate three adult passengers: it will not be closely. If it becomes boring from the measured driving, as an option on the ceiling, you can set the display to which the signal from the DVD player or TV is displayed.
In America, Escalade icon of the national car industry, proof of the immortality of the American dreams. In Europe, to acquire such a Cadillac a good way to stand out: the second one in a radius of 100 km will probably not meet.
In Russia, none of these reasons work. But while Caddy remains the largest SUV on the market, the folk trail in the car dealership does not tarnish
The car is provided by Atlant-M Lakhta, the official dealer General Motors always have reasons to buy a large car
Text: Alexander Korchenko
Photo: Roman Stunnin
A source: Magazine "Wheels" [November 13, 2007]
