Test drive Cadillac CTS 2002 - 2007 Sedan

Guest from the future

Suddenly for many, the new model of Cadillac has become a unique symbiosis of American traditions and European technologies.
 
This is worn in our century
Everything looked very impressive. Somewhere in the depths of the dilapidated stone hangar, cutting out a thick veil of a century of dust, two bright bundles of xenon light lit up. After a few seconds, bizarre vertical headlights appeared from the gate of the building of the early 19th century, and then the elegant white giant itself also sailed. The contrast turned out to be very expressive. Against the background of classic columns, an unusual car looked an alien from the future.
 
Nevertheless, it was the most serial machine. You might think, designers of Cadillac intentionally tear with the past. For the past three or four years, the creators of cars of one of the most traditional-conservative brands, which have always been the personification of prestige, comfort, wealth, but certainly not revolutionary design, did not cease to amaze the world with their conceptual developments. It is enough to recall the willow, imadge, Vizhn.
 
The bold, as if drawn by the cutter of the sculptor of the avant-garde, the edges of the characteristic V-shaped substetricians passing through the bumper, hood, trunk lid, huge vertical headlights all this was embodied in the serial CTS. And never for the entire more than the centenary history of the company has not been in its program with such a non-conformist, directly defiant provocative appearance. But as I had to make sure soon, the exterior is by no means the most interesting feature of the new Cadillac.
 
Awakening feelings
Futuristic technology design, a folding rigid roof with electric drive, an infrared night vision system, video cameras instead of rear -view mirrors, neon optics, voice control of a digital musical system to such a destructive traditional ideas about Cadillac appeared in 1999 a conceptual willow (EvoQ). The name of the machine is quite consistent with its extravagant spectacular appearance and the number of electronic delights (Evoke means defiant). And it is this concept that can be considered the prototype of the current CTS.
 
Small big
Frankly, from the first seconds of acquaintance with the salon it seemed to me that with such a characteristic appearance the interior was still somewhat rustic. Yes, of course, I am quite conveniently located in a wide seat, upholstered in two -tone skin. On the steering wheel and door handles, there was a place for neat inserts under a tree. There is a divided climate control. Here the stereo system and the on -board computer came to life.
 
But the front panel does not look as rich as Yaguar, BMW or Lexus. In general, cozy and spacious, the salon reminded the Saab: just look at the steering wheel, at the air duct deflectors or turn on the backlight. Of course, the designers tried to cut a resemblance. For example, they equipped CTS with unique large chrome door handles. Yes, and the front panel here is not so much deployed to the driver as on the Swedish liners.
 
   
In American, the thick backs of the seats reduce the legs for the legs of the rear passengers
 

Nevertheless, the CTS salon can hardly be called sustained in the spirit of American traditions. Yes, and it is difficult to expect this from a machine, designed mainly by English, German and Italian experts. It is possible, which is why there are not so many inside space. The driver’s place is designed in the spirit of the Bavarian five and treshki, in the manner of a sports and altogether cockpit, which as if tightly covers a person behind the wheel. Yes, and behind the passenger a tall 185 cm and above will seem cramped. Somewhat strange. After all, this is only the smallest in his Kaddy family. In fact, it is very large, in length and base surpasses Camry, E-class, A6, Lexus-GS300, SAAB-9-5, Volvo-S80.
 
 
For door handles, the creators did not regret natural wood and chromium

 
You can download 6 disks in the CD chamber built into the front panel

Nevertheless, the sizes that are external, which is internal, for this Cadillac is a secondary matter. The main thing is to hold on to the chair! Under the certification of current bosses, the future of Caddy cars for a gambling driver. Yes, yes, no more no less! Here is what the head of the Sigma Models Group Jim Taylor said about this: one of the fundamental features of the cars of our brand has always been comfort. But today we would like to add dynamic characteristics to the Cadillac to compete with European sports sedans.
 
Well, if so, I’ll play the role of a wealthy young gentleman, who, as it is fashionable to speak now, is not an active lifestyle.
 
The bird of happiness of the present day
Kaddy picked up and carried me on the way. I liked the sound insulation, the convenience and visibility of climatic and stereo systems. And suddenly bay! I even regretted the complete absence of an American imposing machine. At 60 km/h the right front wheel fell into a small pothole in the asphalt, and the Cadillac was too hard and loudly responded with a characteristic sound.
 
This is how frank sportsmen, or cars with a killed suspension behave. The odometer was a little more than 3000 km, so I rejected the last assumption. But is Caddy really an athlete?
 
At the intersection, a little more sharply than it should have moved from a traffic light. Turning the steering wheel, and a large car with obedience the card turned, no, teleported me to the next street. From this, you do not expect such an agility to the appearance of a clumsy giant.
 
And outside the city, Kaddy showed his real fighting character. It seems that it was not for nothing that the testers tormented CTS on the Nurembergring racing highway. They say that they sought to make a control machine no worse than five BMW. It turned out, in my opinion, sorry for the pun, the five. This is especially noticeable at speeds of 170180 km/h. Prevention, speed of reaction and at the same time energy intensity and silence. The machine easily turns into a real lump of energy, ready to indulge in my increased ambitions.
 
How was it possible? First of all, thanks to the obvious European influence in the design of the American machine. The traction (300 nm) 6-cylinder V-shaped motor designed by a group of German engineers led by Martin Fogler. Responsive 5-speed automatic gearbox 5L-40-E-gydra-Math is installed on the BMW of the 5th series and X5. The manageability also works in a European-shaped independent suspension. The basis is a very hard body made using high -strength steel.
 
Even those who do not have sufficient experience can easily enjoy the potential CTS. Indeed, on guard of ABS safety, magnificent disc brakes on all wheels, the anti-bowing system and know-how of Cadillac Cadillac Stability Control STRISTITION stated the track.
  
In our pragmatic world
The car to Americans, despite a very noticeable European accent, collect CTS in the States clearly succeeded. Of course, he does not know how, like a machine of time obsessed with the trilogy of Robert Zemeckis, to travel to the past and future. But even, unlike the really existing in the early 80s, de Lorian, on which, in fact, movie heroes of a fantastic tape traveled, can contrast competitors not only their unusual expressive design.
 
CTS car is powerful, safe, endowed with excellent handling and quite comfortable. True, the Americans will hardly accustom Europeans with their close streets to the great Caddy. But our dealers can do everything. If only because the CTS CTS will be sold at a price of $ 39,900 stuffed with modern technologies and not at the same time. Among classmates with powerful sixes, only Camri-3.0 ($ 37,400) and Maxim-QX-3,0 ($ 37,400) ($ 37,400) $ 39,000). Stylish Peugeot 607 ($ 44 500) or SAAB-9-5-2,3T ($ 45,200), you must agree, competitors to Cadillac only formally. He has always been, and now he remained a car for those who appreciate the opportunity to be not like everyone else. And today it can easily play on the same field with such elite machines as Lexus-GS300, Mercedes-Benz-E320 BMW-530ia, Jaguar-S-type-3.0 for $ 59,900, $ 66,500, $ 79,000, $ 80,500, respectively.
    
American dream for little money
The owner of the cadillac-CTS-2,6-V6 can be found for $ 39,900. For this money you get an 181-horsepower rear-wheel drive sedan with 6th airbags, a stereo system with a subwoofer and 6 speakers, 16-inch disks made of light alloy, 2-zone climate, track control, darkening mirrors, electric drives of heated front seats and mirrors. At $ 10 thousand more than a more dynamic machine with a 3.2 -liter engine in a similar equipment. By paying another $ 4635, you can order STS with leather chairs and wooden inserts in the cabin, a dynamic stabilization system, xenon, more elegant body painting and 17-inch polished lights of light alloy.
 
Cadillac CTS 3.2 (2.6)
 
Length x width x height, mm
4830x1795x1440
 
Radius of turning, m
5.85
 
Luggage compartment volume, l
430
 
Road clearance, mm
150
 
Speed, km/h
230 (223)
 
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, with
7.7 (9.3)
 
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
9.0/16.4 (8.3/13.6)
 
 
Engine
 
Working volume, SMZ
3175 (2597)
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
218/6000 (181/6000)
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
30.5/3400 (25/3400)
 
Price, euro
49 900 - 54 535
(2.6 l - from 39 900)
 
Alexey Sergeev, photo of Alexander Sadovnikov
 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [09/03]