Cadillac SRX test drive since 2005 SUV

Veteran Premium-Water

Cadillac brand the oldest in the premium segment. Is it a joke for 103 years! For this period, by the way, the most significant step from the monkey to man came. Cadillac survived a lot of magnificent American brands, which, reaching them to this day, would certainly be on the list of the elites of the auto industry.
 



Duesenberg, Packard, Studebaker has remained just as ancient Lincoln, but in recent years Cadillac has easily replayed it according to the nomenclature of models, and in their technical level, and in terms of sales.
 
For its long and venerable history, Cadillac brand practically did not experience life -grinding conditions. The most difficult thing was in the mid -seventies, after the oil crisis, when there was no trace of the former wasteful luxury. The 1977 cars became noticeably smaller in size, and this effect of the acute-sia called The Great Shrink Great compression. A new blow followed three years later, with the introduction of CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency), which set the average level of fuel consumption by all models of each American brand. As a result, uglies such as a tiny Cadillac Cimarron, modifications with the Buyikovsky V6 motor and even diesel Fleetwood with the Oldsmobile engine! Cadillac began to recover only in 1987, after legislative messages.
 

On the account of the brand, there are a lot of achievements to recall at least the episode from 1912, when the starter, generator, electric headlights and electric ignition first appeared on the cadillacs. However, the world is not remembered by this. Rather, not only that. He remembers the enchanting Eldorado of 1959, which became the climax of a short but dazzlingly bright era of aerospace design. The best car of that infinitely romantic period, when there were no restrictions for cars and their creators. And this legend will work on Cadillac for another three hundred years.

  

In the old world, the American freesty was admired, but there was no understanding. Narrow streets, winding rural paths and expensive gasoline are not the most suitable environment for dreadnoughts. To be honest, the consumer qualities of overseas machines did not reach the lifted plan of European standards. German friends told me that in Germany, only pimp, drug dealers and owners of nightclubs, related professions, fixated in glamor and pathos, ride on American cars.
 

But Cadillac for some reason longed for the recognition of ordinary Europeans. In the early nineties they were offered a Seville sedan, the appearance of which Italians from Pininfarina worked on. Did not go. But the Americans did not give up, tearing at the dawn of the new century to Europe with double enthusiasm. Cars with abbreviations of CTS, SRX and the XLR and STS following them are designed in the corporate style of Art & Science, art and science. Style, there are no words, catchy, but for a sophisticated old -Soviet taste, the cowboy, rude. Europeans shunn such a defiant brutality, preferring more subtle hints of hidden power, if any.

  

The undoubted merit of Cadillakovo designers should recognize the consistent implementation of the concept of Art & Science through the entire model line. It had its fruit. For example, SRX SUV in this outcome looks very interesting. Geometric strokes visually facilitate the body, making a rather large machine slender and tightened. Great job!
 

Achilles Salon Kadillakov. The positive impression is spoken by the box -shaped central console of primitive plastic, which today occurs only on Korean low -profiles. It is doubly surprising that this defiant modesty was in the same company with a glass roof, leather, excellent Bose music and general electrification. Dealers are forced to independently correct the situation by ordering the finish of the console under the tree on the side.
 

Yes, Cadillac only masters the rules of the European premium. But he makes promising steps in this direction. The running qualities of cars are brought on eminent racing tracks like nürburgring. In the summer of 2002, the V-Series branch was established, which was engaged in the preparation of evil cadillacs with index V. And for the latest STS sedan, an optional all-wheel drive was proposed. You go the right way, gentlemen!

  

Because the SRX is going great. Let the suspension strictly repeat the irregularities, this is more than replenished with pleasant controllability, intelligible feedback on the steering wheel and modest rolls. An unexpected set for the SUV, the more American! As for the settings of the accelerator and the machine, this is generally a song. Nothing interferes with the Northstar V8 motor bullet at the first desire of the right leg. No delays in reactions, pure acceleration! The engine here is roaring, but the sound is absolutely adequate to the acceleration received at the output. Adrenaline storm!
 

Judging by SRX, veteran-cadillac holds well as well as well. There is a style, technical potential is in order, and prices look competitive. Honestly, if these cars had risen in price by a thousand or two, having received an interior brought to mind in return, they would only become more seductive.
 

Cadillac SRX
Engines: 1
Transmissions: 1
Body flowers: 8
Salon decoration options: 3
Options: 7
Price: from $ 71,000
Top version, it is the only one: 325 hp/0-100 km/h 7.2 s
Among the basic equipment:
stabilitrak stabilization system
adaptive suspension Magnetic Ride Control
the electric drive of the pedal node with memory
heating the engine block
tire pressure sensors
Among the options:
panoramic glass hatch Ultraview Plus with electric
the third row of electric seats and a separate hatch above the heads
entertainment multimedia complex with DVD player and colored LCD monitor
 
Cadillac
It is part of: General Motors Corporation
Headquarters: Detroit, USA
Brand registration: 1902
Founder: Henry Lyland
Years: 1903-42 and since 1945
Production range: 6 models
 
The car is provided by Laura, an official Cadillac dealer.
We thank the directorate of the stadium. S. M. Kirov for help in organizing filming.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Vsevolod Konovalov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 91/2005]