Test drive Cadillac CTS 2002 - 2007 Sedan

Perfect illusion

BMW 530i
It has been produced since 2003.
Currently, the BMW of the 5th series is equipped with gasoline six-cylinder engines 2.2 l (520i), 125 kW with a mechanical gearbox; 3.0 l (530i), 170 kW with mechanical and automatic transmission and the most powerful V8 Valvetronic (545i) 4.4 l, 245 kW, as well as 3.0 l (530D), 160 kW. In the fall, BMW-520i with an automatic machine and BMV-525i with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine of 141 kW will be added.
Options for the Russian market are everything except diesel. Orders have been adopted since July 2003.
Price - from 45 900 euros (BMW -520i). The price in this configuration is 69 900 euros.

Cadillac CTS
It has been produced since 2001.
Execution options: gasoline engines V6, 2.6 liters, 133 kW; 3.2 l, 160 kW. A mechanical or automatic gearbox.
The configurations for the Russian market correspond to European. On sale since July 2003.
The price of the basic configuration is from $ 39,900 (2.6 liters, a mechanical gearbox) to $ 50 965 (3.2 l, automatic). The price in this configuration is $ 53 140.
In additional configuration - the color of the white diamond ($ 580), a sports bag with 17 -inch tires, ESP, xenon headlights ($ 159).

Now the original approach is in fashion - this is the main thing. Beauty is not popular - it is ordinary. Going along the verge between beauty and visibility in such a way as to avoid ugliness is probably not the easiest, but very attractive. More and more bold lines of the bodies are only convinced of this. Take a look at the new five - there is almost nothing left of the classic BMW lines left, at the same time, the family features are still read excellently. Cadillac CTS with its rectangular shapes and chopped faces is also quite consistent with the new image of the brand, although it does not resemble its predecessors, even relatively recent.
New classic
Classic layout machines are by no means dinosaurs in the current automobile world. And the point is not at all in the addiction of the legislators of the mod represented by the Mercedes and BMW to the rear drive wheels. The classic layout of business sedans is technically justified - these machines are extremely rarely transporting five passengers, and four large transmission tunnel is not a hindrance. Some deficiency of controllability, manifested on a slippery road, now easily compensate for electronic stabilization systems. And on dry asphalt, modern tires and pendants allow a lot of things, so there is nothing to blame the rear -wheel drive. But the layout advantages of the longitudinal location of the engine are obvious - in the engine compartment it is placed without any problems, from the economical six a little, two liters to a five -liter eight with power far over 300 horses. So the rear -wheel drive is not an anachronism, but a classic, especially on good roads.
By the way, in the mid -nineties Cadillac completely refused the rear -wheel drive cars, moving to the front -wheel drive platform. The current CTS is the next attempt by the company to create a car for buyers who first choose a Cadillac. In the United States, the price for it starts at $ 30,695 with a 3.2-liter engine. And one more thing: CTS is not a new body for Opel -Omega, but a completely independent car produced in the United States and sharing only the engine with Opel.
The joy of movement
Cars of this class are designed not only to provide excellent comfort, but to have a living, energetic character. Let's say right away, BMW and Cadillac are quite clockwork and do not shy away from an active ride. The machine guns smoothly but very quickly switch the gears, even at a full throttle twitching. Both of them are impeccably accurately accurate on a straight line and poured with elastic reactive force in a bend. Of course, active steering on BMW allows you to not intercept it at all, but how many mountain serpentines are in Russia, where you can enjoy this? So ... both cars are excellent in corners, even on uneven coating; Differences, again, in detail. Cadillac is reliable, stable and fast. BMW has the same plus a more live steering wheel and less thoughtful chassis. To the slightest movement of the steering wheel, the five reacts with the haste of a much smaller car - despite a rather soft suspension.
The option adapted for Russia is not yet ready, the first machines are supplied with conventional springs and shock absorbers. On even roads, such a suspension leaves a pleasant impression, but at high speed it still lacks energy intensity. Supernase -profile tires resistant to punctures also made their contributions. Their hard sidewall improves the feeling of a car in corners, but comfort on small irregularities leaves much to be desired.
A glass for courage
Honestly, the obtained figures of the dynamics and maximum speed did not noticeably reach the declared manufacturers. Moreover, the BMW dynamics were more upset - in addition to a sluggish touch from the place, the Bavarian car was short of 9 km/h of the maximum wipes. Of course, you can sin on gasoline, given that during measurements we poured the ninety -fifth, and not the ninety -eighth, on which BMW indicators are removed, but ... it is difficult to confirm with devices, but from the impression that in the first two gears the five motor is thoroughly strangled do not get rid of. Moreover, having gained 120 km/h, BMW recoups the lost seconds, easily laying the speedometer arrow over 200.
Actually, the Cadillac motor is not original: this has already been installed on Opel Omega. The characteristic angle of the collapse of the cylinders (54 degrees) and the shape of the intake pipelines will give it out, no matter what emblem. It surpasses the Bavarian motor around the volume for about a glass and although it is slightly inferior in power, no worse in the torque. Moreover, at low speeds, he rides more lively, with a characteristic mutter, recalling real American values. However, and upstairs, he not only pulls well, but also sounds pleasant. In general, the numbers here are quite eloquent - the Cadillac from the traffic light leaves noticeably more freak. The only negative is a slightly greater gasoline consumption than Bavarz. In our test, the difference was about 1 l/100 km in the city and 1.5 liters in traffic jams.
We calculate the gaming
In the current business sedan, you can’t do without climate installation with separate regulation, electric drives with memory, a solid audio system with a subwoofer and a multi-channel amplifier, cruise control and an on-board computer. Well, of course, leather upholstery of seats and decorative inserts from valuable wood of wood are required. This is the same standard as a hotel service: having settled in five stars, the client has the right to demand a terry robe, slippers and coffee in bed.
Cadillac's equipment fully complies with the requirements of the class. But finding something outstanding in it is difficult. And in BMW at least two serious innovations: adaptive cruise control and smart reptile stabilizers.
In Russian conditions, classic cruise control is useless. Since cars with this simple device on our roads are rare, the flow rate is set by the right foot of the driver. On the slopes they go faster, on lifts - slower. Anyone who moves at the same speed immediately becomes a general obstacle. Adaptive cruise control BMW-530i outside looks like a third fog on the left side. But in motion it is much more noticeable. It is only necessary to set the desired speed, and the car will support it. But as soon as the car appears ahead, it will slow down on its own. When the hindrance disappears, he will return to a given regime. There are three distances to choose from: short, medium, long (depending on speed). In real conditions, the first two are perhaps suitable. The system performs only official braking: in an emergency, the driver himself will have to act, although electronics will imprive the alarm for a split second.
Contrary to expectations, the system turned out to be operational both in the repair sections and on a bilateral highway. We emphasize once again: it will not slow down in front of the rink on the side of the BMW.
Smart shock absorbers and reptile stabilizers are part of the Dynamic Drive system, which debuted on the seven. Shock absorbers with adjustable damping and stabilizers of stiffness allow you to practically get rid of the rolls and at the same time preserve the acceptable rigidity of the suspension - a useful compromise for a car, which is not entitled to give control for comfort.
The matrix is \u200b\u200balready here
Have you watched this movie too? Complete nonsense, but how beautifully it is shot! Have you seen Cadillac CTS in it? Agree, there he is in his place: he looks natural and organic. Fiction? Nothing like this.
In a modern car, feedback with the driver is increasingly entrusted to electronics. Do you still think that you control the machine, press the pedals, twist the steering wheel, set up the receiver? No, the car does it for you - using the controls, you only declare intentions. Although the better he fulfills your wishes, the more successful its design.
We will be frank: we assumed BMW victory, but with a more convincing score. At least as much as the price of BMW exceeds the price of Cadillac - that is, one and a half times. Such an advantage did not work. And the original appearance of the alien from the New World, of course, will not leave indifferent adherents of bright and fashionable design. At least at gas stations, Cadillac always attracted more attention. Reality does not wake up emotions - for this you need a perfect illusion. Is not it?

Front panel: Everything in a new way.

Only two dials left - all the previous ones had four.

The neck will not have to strain.

This is the radiator of the main transmission.

Stylish monumentality.

Neatly fitted panels, but modest plastic.

The original digitization of the speedometer is difficult to read.

Massive backs of the front seats take up a lot of space.

In the center is a controlled thermostat.

He is all of the planes and faces.

The upper support of the front rack of the suspension is forged aluminum.

SUMMARY
BMW 530i
+ Rich equipment, understandable interface of electronic equipment, excellent brakes, transmission work, handling in standard modes, extremely comfortable seats.
- The smoothness of the course on large irregularities, the dynamics of touching from the place, the energy intensity of the suspension, the price.
Cadillac CTS
+ Good engine thrust on the bottom, smooth operation of the gearbox, suspension comfort, catching appearance.
- Unsuccessful material of the doors upholstery, open screws in the trunk, poor configuration, thick backs of the front seats are poor.

 
 
Anatoly Fomin. Photo: George Sadkov

Source: The magazine "Driving"