Test Drive Cadillac BS since 2006 Sedan

All photos Cadillac BS since 2006

Ghostly everything

Cadillac should be big and smooth, elegant Mazda became European brand, Fords are primarily available stereotypes strong, but how valid? Middle class cars compared Mikhail Gzovsky. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov.
Cadillac Bs.
The model on a common platform with Opell-Vectra and Saab 9-3 debuted in 2005 in Russia sold since 2006
Engines: gasoline 2.0 l (175 and 210 hp); 2.8 l (255 hp); Diesel 1.9 L (150 hp). Transmission: 5-, 6-speed mechanical and 5-speed automatic.
Required: Base, Mid, Top.
Price: 896 600 - 1183 700 rub.
Mazda 6.
The second generation made his debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall of 2007. Russia has become the first country where sales started.
Engines: gasoline 1.8 - 2.5 l (120 - 170 hp).

Gearboxes: 5-, 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Required: Direct, Touring, Sport, Luxury.
Price: 653 000 - 865 000 rub.
Ford Mondeo.
The third generation was submitted in the spring of 2007 in Geneva. Exports to Russia started from the autumn of the same year.
Engines: gasoline, 1.6 - 2.5 l (125 - 220 hp), diesel 2.0 l (130 hp). Transmission: 5-, 6-speed Mechanical and 6-speed automatic.
Required: Ambiente, Trend, Ghia, Ghia X, Titanium, Titanium X.
Price of basic versions: 615,000 - 975 000 rubles.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
It is based on the philosophy of millions of Americans. Movies are removed about her and write books. Typical story: the leaving of the poor family with the forgotten by God the Mexican coast moves into America, where his numerous talents suddenly reveal. Starting from the black work itself, he eventually achieves success and solid position. He speaks with subordinates in his company without an accent and lives in a five-graded house on the Hollywood Hills. The final and compulsory barcode-returned Cadillac in the garage.

I sit in the expected black Cadillac-BLS. In the Moscow streets, the car is interested in, politely pass. It's hard to say that it is more important: color, brand or self-confident profile? Confidence is instantly transmitted to the driver: our movement is measurable and calm. Distance to reaching ahead is deliberately large - it is not a royal business to rub the sparkling varnish of an aluminum hood. A serious view of xenon headlights still does not allow to embed it in front of you.
The only BLS, who was able to offer General Motorc in the Moscow Press Park, are obviously more powerful rivals. But it is painfully a temptation to compare it with Japanese and European cars!
A double-liter turbocharger engine is ready to quickly shoot Cadillac from the traffic light. Small delays in the operation of the automaton are not as critical in the sports mode of the box and compensate for the advantage in horsepower. Elastic jerks, smooth change of the course, and we are relaxingly sailing in the left row. Here it is - element BLS. Resected hundreds of test wheels Country route only confirms the assumption: Cadillac steering is typically American. The steering wheel has to be rejected from zero marks to large corners even for minor irregularities. On the roads of the polygon, the controllability was subjected to a detailed assessment.

With the enabled BLS stabilization system is easy to control. Even if you patch the gas pedal to the floor, the electronics stubbornly clone the tachometer arrow down, and the car whitewashes wheels, follows almost deprived of the feedback with the steering wheel. And if disable ESP? Make it, however, it's not so easy, you will have to go through the on-board computer menu. Like a hint: Maybe not worth it? The hint did not understand!
Delighted electronics help, Cadillac waited for a serious test: braking from 120 km / h on almost clean ice and the subsequent occasion into the left turn is almost at right angles. Exercise turned out to be not easy. BLS sooner or later launched from side to the side, the amplitude is frighteningly grew, requiring correction with the steering wheel with jewelry accuracy, not only in the cherished turn, not to fall, not to fly into the bump!
Still, it is better to make anything straightforward for this model. However, there is no surprise here: there is no speech about the high smoothness of BLS. The car copes with small irregularities, but misses more serious blows. A couple of times the suspension was sent to a knockout in fairly innocuous situations. How is it unlike american and who said that BLS is American? The model is not sold in the United States. It is released in Europe, and the European chassis is hidden for American appearance. Probably, in the eyes of the inhabitants of the old world, an American dream looks not so attractive as at home, behind the ocean.

Opened to communication
The first Mazda-6 produced the effect of an exploding bomb in Europe. From the brand that produced very reliable, but rather ordinary externally models, such an elegant car was not waiting. Conquer and Russians, including a combination of price and quality, the six did not want to obstruct either externally nor technically. However, time took its own, the change came. It would seem, after the first success, a new car should become even closer to the inhabitants of the old world. But the first photos appeared, together with them came a slight surprise: Mazda-6 gave a clear roll towards Asia. Take a look at the surreatted headlights, the taillight lights. And another second six is \u200b\u200bperceived aggressively predecessor. But it is worth opening the door, as this feeling is destroyed, giving way to the feeling of sportiness.
Landing the driver is low, which, in combination with the road lumen of 124 mm, creates almost racing mood. Despite the weaker than that of Cadillac, the engine, Mazda-6 acceleration perceive very dramatic. Yes, the vestibular apparatus suggests that in the second calculus Cadillac faster. But the response to pressing the pedal in Mazda is more agreed, and the change of gear is almost imperceptible. However, idyll lasts long: if needed to accelerately accelerate when overtaking, the box hangs on half a second and only then includes a reduced transmission. With increasing speed, the difference in capacity is increasingly. Acceleration dynamics appreciate on a hard four, but without a plus.

The smoothness of the stroke too. On Mazda, you can go quickly, but you have to come to terms with the constant shaking. And the rear passengers still tolerate also the hum from tires, and the sound of the stonepad, too easily penetrating through the wheeled arches. From these branded damns it would be time to get rid of ...
Continues the topic of sports steering. Unlike the predecessor, there is an electric detector, configured very sensible. The only uncomfortable mode is the movement along the asphalt with the beat of our roads by Kaelyuya: the steering wheel rushes out of the hands. Over the rest of the only positive. Tight, like a rubber drive clearly notifies the driver, to which angle are turned the driving wheels.
And how will the car behave in critical mode? Speed \u200b\u200b120 km / h, ahead on the left - turn. Sharp braking under the projects of ABS, small course oscillations and is a confident and accurate entrance to the intended corridor. With a disconnected stabilization system, the handling changes not radically: a logical and easily corrected pilot demolition of the front of the gas reset.
In recent years, Mazda loves to trump by Japanese terms, not otherwise, in order to be awesome by the unusual sound, the European Ear. I will not repeat them, but I will focus on translation. Harmony with nature, voltage, attention to detail all this affected design. Well, the most important principle was the emotional connection of the driver with the car. Let Mazda-6 be not the fastest and not the most comfortable car in the classroom, but certainly one of the most open to communicate.

Secret reputation
Henry Ford, probably, would remain pleased with the works of his company in Russia. Following the focus on the plants conveyor in Vsevolozhsk, Mondeo gets up.
In our hands already visited the new Ford Mondeo (SP, 2007, No. 10). That car was equipped with a single mechanical gearbox accessible then and a 2-liter motor. The current mondeo with a more powerful engine and an automatic box is gaining speed is more accurate and no longer perceived heavy. According to acceleration dynamics, of course, it is not so good as Cadillac, but a little replacing Mazda.
I really liked the work of a 6-speed automaton. He, like the competitor boxes, with manual mode: holds the selected transmission on acceleration and switches only down when the speed drops almost to the pedestrian one. In automatic delay mode during the transition, even several steps are minimal.
An impression remains from the steering: unlike the 2-liter mondeo, it has a heavier and assembled steering wheel, allowing you to clearly control the input in turn. And here is a familiar turn: braking and mondeo flies past the scholars! There was still a couple of attempts to shoot at the turn. This is due to the setting of the stabilization system, it is not always a clearly coordinating bunch of deregulation.

And yet we appreciated the behavior of Ford on the score higher than the opponents. Except in an abnormal situation (obviously high speed, ice, a provocatively sharp entrance in turn), Ford led himself exemplary: defiantly ignored the ruts, it was predicted to slide under the burden, obediently and promptly responded to the steering command.
Ford on iota, but still preferable to rivals and from the point of view of acoustic support, smoothness, space in the cabin, especially in the rear sofa. I think it is the ability to please and the driver, and the passengers explain the good reputation of the Mondeo in the eyes of many buyers. How not to remember the statement of Henry Ford: You can not build a reputation on what you are just going to do ..
Returning machines in the garages of representative offices, thought: how much is sometimes there is a different idea of \u200b\u200bthe car from reality. Stereotypes are crumbling one by one: a tough and fairly close cadyllac, an emotional, almost youth Mazda, solid and at the same time approximate movement actively Ford. Truly, the ghostly everything in this world is raging!
Mikhail Gzzovsky: Despite the loss of Mazda and Ford, Cadillac will remember me more than others. Surprisingly, but the imperfect sometimes falls in love more perfect.

Cadillac Bls left America, but did not reach Europe. Many typical traits typical for the brand, did not become clearer Europeans.
Total rating 7.5
+ Excellent dynamics, memorable appearance.
- mediocre visibility through narrow rear window and small outer mirrors, close rear sofa, prone
to breakdowns suspension.
Mazda 6 Live, understandable in management, but no complaints about solidity seemingly mandatory in this class.
Total estimate of 8.0
+ Thoughtful ergonomics, efficient climatic installation with a large range of separate adjustments, a large trunk.
- Mal road lumen, small opening trunk, mediocre smoothness, noise in the back of the cabin.
Ford Mondeo Successful combination of good driving quality and practicality for the family.
Total estimate of 8.3.
+ Comfortable driver and spacious back seat, reliable handling, low noise and vibration.
- requiring addictive stabilization system, mediocre visibility.