Test drive Cadillac CTS 2002 - 2007 Sedan

Cinema star

Quite often, the debut of the new model try to reinforce it with participation in a fashionable blockbuster. In the super popular film Matrix: the reboot could be seen by the new Cadillac CTS.
One friend of mine, in response to a question about the preferred style in clothes, answered just two years ago: well, you know how in the matrix. Once our meeting was scheduled near her university, and I was forced to admit that the young lady was not alone in its preferences-95 percent of students were in black. Cadillac doms on the streets (and even more so near universities) for obvious reasons does not threaten us, however, GM clearly chose a good object for calling Product PlaCement: leaving disputes about the merits of the film to professionals and fans, we note that as a bearer of style the second film No worse than the first. And the new Caddy fits perfectly into the fashion of the beginning of the new century.
RED CARPET. The star cannot look like everyone else: if they have achieved popular fame, if you please, do not forget about your especiallyness. CTS, even without a Hollywood episode in the biography, is quite suitable for a star role. The elongated neck of drivers and passengers in neighboring cars and unnecessary in general overtaking-just to see the car from all sides-became familiar from the first minutes of the wheel of this car.
Still would! Perhaps, for the first time, designers were so boldly used by the possibilities provided by new technologies in the field of lighting equipment. Narrow vertical headlights and rear lights fit perfectly into a faceted shape. In addition, now it is fashionable to remember the glorious past-and after all, once the red dispathers inscribed in the fins of the hind wings were one of the branded Cadillac elements, although ten years ago they almost forgot about a fashion for the European style. Now we see that modern design is able to give a new sound almost any idea, and technology allows them to realize them without loss of functionality.
The general wedge -shaped form thanks to the faces will affect even more rapidly. And mother -of -pearl white paint with a barely noticeable golden tint ($ 580 option) perfectly emphasizes the features of the form. With ordinary white, this number would not have passed.
Yes, the appearance was actually starry. And CTS fits perfectly into the motorcade of Elton John during his tour in Moscow - this model became an official car of this visit. Great start!
In the dressing room. Passengers have long been striving to be like their European competitors. Here, the notorious globalization, and not too pleasant for the richest country in the world, the statement that the company inquired in the open spaces and resources of the company of the Old World used to learn how to lick every detail. Even the actual predecessor of CTS, Cadillac Seville of the early 90s, was presented as our answer to Mercedes-Benz and BMW. However, the fate of the other ancestor - Cadillac Catera, which was an Americanized version of Opel Omega - showed that direct copying does not bring success. So CTS is still a purely American car that uses some features of the European approach. Even his engines are almost the same as used on some Opel models.
 
Europe-Lux is also felt in the design of the salon. But his old-world features are implemented purely in American: the rectangular console is conveniently deployed to the driver, but looks great compared to the same Opel. In addition, in order to get to the settings of the car and the information of the on -board computer, you will have to wander for a long time among the audio control buttons - it is clear that they are used more often, but I would like to be at times to remember that we are going. And do not listen to the CD, cassette and radio. All these sources are here and are located, there is no dispute, it is convenient. But still. The elegant instrument panel is equipped with an almost microscopic glove box, which neither room pockets in the doors, nor the presence of containers under the central armrest and in it, do not compensate for.
The rear seats are moderately spacious. Exactly so that passengers do not feel like a second -grade people. But they will not be able to become the first variety. Normal equality - for large bosses there are large limousines. However, Elton John did not seem to complain when he was taken to CTS.
But the trunk frankly disappointed: there seems to be a decoration, and a grid with mounts in various positions, but ... you just have to look into the depths-and find the ends of the screws sticking out from under the rear window. They are quite long, and you can not get scratched, but even tear a suitcase or bag with sharp braking. Okay, let's say, if they had not leaned, they might not have noticed this. But the absence of the inner handle on the cover today looks completely inexplicable. Precisely because it is a trifle, this gap is especially surprising. But the lack of blocking the lid of the gas tank of the gas tank for a model of this class is simply inexplicable.
Almost according to Stanislavsky. The driver’s workplace still resembles other GM models. For example, the buttons to turn on the winter and sports modes are almost the same as on Opel. This is not a nit -picking, but a statement of a pleasant fact. But the steering wheel is also great in American, moreover, which is much worse, it is regulated only by the angle of inclination-so you have to select a convenient pose by changing the angle of inclination of the back. Reasonable, but not always convenient. Safety belts are integrated into a chair and in an unfastened position at times sensitively remind of their existence, resting the lock on the lower back. Well, let's say I'm always fastened, but getting the belt from an unusual position is not very convenient. However, safety costs a second spent on extracting the belt from behind the shoulder.
That's what it really would be worth sacrificing Americanism is in setting up the engine and transmission. Almost the same 3.2-liter motor on Vectra GTS behaves much more clearly and pleasant. Probably, we just have too European taste, but the thick roar of the engine makes us think about its overload, and not about the capacity of the hood. Perhaps the transmission is to blame for this - for a very long time it reflects before responding to an abrupt pressing of the accelerator pedal. In general, sometimes I want to almost like Konstantin Sergeyevich to exclaim: I do not believe! It is unlikely that we are deceived in terms of engine power and acceleration dynamics, but the sensations from these capabilities are very different. No matter how cynical it sounds, it would be better the opposite.
The brakes, however, are quite in European-the course is relatively small and, changing the effort to the pedals, you can accurately dose slowdown. The same can be said about the suspension - usual for the American classics of softness, and even more so nightmarish rolls in corners are not felt here.
Of other disadvantages, excessive boring of the light control system can be noted. CTS has an automatic external lighting mode, the sensor of which is very sensitive and turns on the headlights even with a relatively bright summer evening. After transferring the switch from Auto to the position, everything is turned off on the display, the inscription appears as it is recommended to turn on the headlights.
Fans. Let's try to summarize. Spectacular appearance is a huge plus. The prestige of the brand - who would argue! Characteristics are also quite normal for this class. But only fans of American cars as a phenomenon can close their eyes to the features of the American assembly and the impressions of driving. There are enough such in Russia, and in Europe, and in Asia. So in the relatively good market future CTS there is no doubt. After all, it is still pleasant to hear an envious question: is this the one who starred in the matrix? And be able to answer: of course!
Text Valery Chusov, photo Alexey Ilyin
 
Model/Modification Cadillac CTS
Manufacturer/country General Motors/USA
ENGINE
Type/number/location of gasoline cylinders/6/V-shaped
Working volume (cubic cub) 3175
Power (kW (L.S.) at about./Min.) 160 (218) at 5600
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 300 at 3400
TRANSMISSION
The rear drive
Automatic gearbox 5-speed
Brakes, safety
Front/rear ventilated disk/ventilated disk
Assisting electronic systems ABS, PBS, Stabilitrak
Safety pillows 2 frontal, 2 side, inflating curtains
Dimensions/mass
Length/width/height (mm) 4828/1795/1441
Wheel base/clearance (mm) 2880/150
Tires 225/50 R17
Massage of equipped/complete (kg) 1720/2125
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 68.1
Maximum speed (km/h) 230
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 7.7
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 16.4/9.0
Price in Moscow $ 54 205

 

Source: "Autopilot"