Test drive Cadillac CTS 2002 - 2007 Sedan
Cadillac Renaissance
At the end of the nineties of the last century, one of the oldest branches of the GM-Cadillac corporation, which traditionally specialized in the production of expensive cars, was in a deep crisis. In 1996, after removing the Fleetwood model in the Cadillac program, there were no classic layout cars. Conservative customers poorly accepted new front -wheel drive models. The matter even came to the point that under the brand of Cadillac Catera on the American market they began to sell a slightly shifted European Opel Omega, since at that time there were no marchings of rear -wheel drive cars. As a result, the demand for Cadillac products began to fall rapidly. It seemed a little more, and the famous brand would disappear forever, as happened with many in the past of well -known auto -brands.But at the beginning of the third millennium, Cadillac surprised the world with several new rear -wheel drive models at once. Understanding that taking their niche in the production of prestigious cars is a very difficult matter, since buyers of expensive cars, as a rule, are very conservative and is unlikely to agree to change their usual Mercedes or BMW for another brand, GM management decided to pay the design of new models. The designers were given the task: to make new Cadillac cars absolutely dissimilar to the products of other manufacturers.
A striking example of the Renaissance era is the CTS model first Cadillac, designed in the third millennium. By the way, the modern headquarters of the Cadillac Motor Car, located in Detroit, is called: Renaissance Center. As a result of the globalization of the global economy, modern machines are gradually losing national features, and the new Cadillac models are no exception. CTS is designed on the basis of the latest GM Sigma corporate platform. The revolutionary design of the latest cars Cadillac was developed by Kip Vasenko, a native of Russia. The CTS install engines of the European branches GM Opel and Vauxhall. In the refinement of the chassis, which was carried out on the famous Nyurgurging racing highway, German experts took part. So is there something American in the car? Oh sure. All CTS is collected in America. And I must say, they collect very well. For several years in a row, Cadillac has been occupying the upper lines in the reliability rating, only slightly inferior to recognized leaders in this indicator by Japanese manufacturers, while the quality of European cars has recently worsened. Traditionally, American cars were highly comfortable. And in this regard, the new Cadillac models are no exception. CTS was the world's first serial car in which noise -insulating protection was used, integrated directly into the construction of the supporting body. The advanced technology is called Quiet Steel quiet steel. Some CTS body panels are made of two -layer steel with a filler made of high -elastic polymer material. As a result of the use of know-how, previously used only in the aerospace industry, it was possible to reduce the complexity of the assembly, increase corrosion resistance of the body and improve sound insulation.
Despite its avant -garde appearance, CTS has retained some traditional Cadillac features. Thanks to the branded grille of the radiator and the characteristic shape of the back of the body, this machine cannot be confused with cars of other brands. I must say that on Cadillac CTS it looks much more attractive than in illustrations. Apparently, the fact is that photography does not give a voluminous image. The human eye grabs separate bright elements, for example, characteristic headlights of a faceted shape, but as a whole car does not perceive. Living CTS is a completely different matter, you immediately pay attention to the swiftness of the body lines. In general, the novelty, despite some controversial avant -garde design elements, looks extremely stylish and original. When developing a new Cadillac style, designers, as in the fifties of the last century, returned to the aviation topic. However, over the past half century, the appearance of both aircraft and cars has changed a lot. Today, bizarre boils of tail or rear headlights, stylized under the nozzles of the turbines of the first jet aircraft, are already irrelevant. The angular CTS forms resemble the configuration of modern fighters. As you know, combat vehicles are distinguished by functionality. So in the appearance of Cadillac CTS there is nothing superfluous, chrome elements of the finish are almost completely absent, simple laconic forms prevail in the design.
The influence of the aviation style is noticeable in the design of the interior CTS. Here everything is completed functionally, chrome and wood in the design of the salon are used in minimal quantities. In the cabins of modern aircraft, unlike the winged machines of the fifties of the last century, there are very few devices. This is done in order not to overload the pilot with excess information. And in the new Cadillac, at least devices on the central panel. In order not to distract the driver from the road, control of the audio system is carried out on the steering wheel. The front chairs that have an electric drive in eight directions are impeccable, it is very convenient to sit on them. It is spacious enough in the back seat, where two people can accommodate with comfort, the central tunnel will interfere with the third passenger.
The only serious drawback of CTS ergonomics is poor visibility through an intra -junction mirror: not only is the rear window and so very narrow, but huge head restraints greatly limit visibility. Therefore, when reversing, you have to navigate only on the side mirrors, by the way, very convenient.
As befits a business class car, Cadillac CTS is already perfectly equipped in the basic configuration. The standard provides for a two-zone climate control, heating the front seats, a stereo system with a cassette and CD players, seven speakers, external mirrors with electrical control and heating, front and lateral airbags, xenon headlights. The machines supplied to Russia have preparations for transporting the trailer, which includes the engine of the engine that is very useful in our conditions, an high -power generator, an improved cooling system, a posterior suspension with automatic level setting and an additional compressor.
Let's see how Cadillac CTS behaves on the go. Surprisingly, the fact: in the basic configuration, the novelty is equipped with a manual gearbox. And this despite the fact that Americans even buy small -leafing only with a machine gun. CTS equipped with a mechanical box has a very decent accelerating dynamics even with a weak 2.6 l V6 engine with a capacity of 181 liters. With. Such a motor accelerates the car to 100 km/h for 9.3 s, and the maximum speed is 223 km/h. A good and 5-speed automatic, although not having a manual control now, but working very clearly. With intensive acceleration, switching occur almost without delay, characteristic of many automatic transmission. At the same time, with leisurely driving, the machine operates very smoothly.
For fans of dynamic driving, there is an option of Cadillac CTS with a 3.2 l engine with a capacity of 218 liters. With. With such a motor, the car can be dispersed to 100 km/h for 7.4 s and develop a maximum speed of 238 km/h on it.
The car brakes are excellent: both the speed is extinguished excellently, and the rate of slowdown is well predictable. The machine is ideally controlled both in standard and in limit modes, which allows you to classify CTS as a real car for the driver. At the same time, Cadillac retained high smoothness characteristic of large American sedans.
After traveling to the CTS, it impressed that its chassis was designed with a large margin on more powerful engines. Indeed, in 2004, Cadillac CTS-V appeared, equipped with a V8 engine from Chevrolet Corvette (5.7 l, 400 hp). Only a 6-speed mechanical gearbox is installed on such cars. CTS-V can disperse to 100 km/h in less than 5 s, it develops a maximum speed of 274 km/h.
Currently, the Russian market is offered only Cadillac CTS with V6 engines with a working volume of 2.6 and 3.2 liters. There are such machines in the basic configuration, respectively, 42,500 and 49,900 dollars. For an automatic box, you will have to pay $ 1050. The hatch in the roof with an electric drive was estimated at $ 1050. On CTS with a 3.2 l engine, an audio system with a six-built CD changer on six Bose discs and acoustics are included in the basic package, on cars with a 2.6 -liter engine for its installation, you will have to pay $ 1,100 for its installation. Along with 2004 cars, there is a 2003 car without mileage for sale. Such copies offer a discount of $ 24002600. The factory warranty is common for all CTS: three years from the moment of sale during a run of up to 100 thousand km.
Of course, not everyone can like the avant -garde design of the new Cadillac. However, there is no not to note the fact that at present in the world there are not so many business class sedans with such beautiful running qualities as Cadillac CTS. Moreover, all competitors are at least 10 thousand dollars more. In addition, having opted for the new Cadillac, you get an exclusive machine to a certain extent. Indeed, in Russia, cars of eminent European brands have long become a goods of mass demand. Having bought Mercedes or BMW, you can hardly surprise anyone, but Cadillac cars are still rare on our roads. In addition, you do not have to overpay for originality.
