Test Drive Cadillac Escalade since 2006 SUV
Giant contradictions
Heredity is a strong thing. Trying to turn yourself, change, become better. First it turns out, you already think that it turned out finally, and there once! Genes make themselves felt.
With cars easier. One model, embodied in different generations, after some time it may change beyond recognition. However, this is usually quite long. Cadillac Escalade has not been clearly not. 
However, did his creators want such changes? After all, if objectively, this black carcass in the middle of the contradictions. Escalade is cumbersome, an exceptional appetite (it's good that in eaten food), insensitive handling and, as a result, invisibility to the urban conditions for which it is intended. Did the creators did not know about it? They knew, and not worse than our. They just have a different look at things. And with the help of the Escalade model, they are trying to prove its adequacy. 
In the understanding of Americans, the dear city SUV should be exactly the same. If we are talking about dimensions, then we will certainly be widely wide. When I first turned out to be next to Escalade, I remembered the first acquaintance with Hummer H2. The same gigid. Disadvantages of size Some difficulties in parking and in high speed movement, but, of course, there are a number of indisputable advantages. The main thing you are afraid of other participants in the movement. The problem of rebuilding is solved before its occurrence, everyone has long noticed a huge SUV and ready to skip it. 
According to the Americans, the overall expensive SUV must also have a catchy design, with many chrome trinkets. I understand them perfectly. If there were so many African Americans and other citizens with wild looks on the style in our country, they would have to take into account their wishes. However, the opinion of Russians about the style of the new Escalade, in general, positive. The strength and power in our country respect the type of an immense front with a wide rectangle of the branded lattice acts trouble-free. Three-section vertical headlights contribute to the sharpness of perception. 
The face adds expressiveness Low bumper. It is impressive, but I was unpleasantly surprised when, moving by the reverse course from the average magnitude of the curb, hung it with a spoiler. Geometric permeability, definitely, suffered greatly in favor of beauty. However, what is it, this permeability? In America for off-road Cadillac do not buy! After the head of the sidewall, the sidewalls are slightly discouraged as if they took from the old Chevrolet Tahoe. Surfaces with arches of a rectangular shape lack plastics. Yes, and 18-inch discs are lost against the background of a huge body. It clearly needs 2 3 inches wheels more. And necessarily chromed. Only slits in the front wings are trying to revive the picture.
Yes, and behind the car looks somewhat dumb. In part, the case straightened unusual branded vertical lights and a huge Cadillac emblem on the fifth door. And, of course, the abundance of chromium. How without it? Chrome real, semi-layer coating. Blushes as it should!
The Americans finally realized that their concepts about the expensive interior were not satisfied even with even the requests of the black population. And took action. In my opinion, Cadillac Escalade The first overseas representative of the luxury segment, whose salon is almost without stretching meets strict European criteria. Colleague on the workshop, STS, recently visited our guest, could not boast of it. 
The front panel has calm outlines quite an American. However, it no longer looks primitively, you can talk about style. Plastic is pleasant to the touch, elastic. Moreover, not only at the top of the panel, but also from the bottom, as well as in the finish of the doors. Large wooden squares do not cut eyes. The texture is pretty, the tree in the Escalade cabin looks appropriate. The car has a comfortable steering wheel with combined (leather and wood) finish, well-designed chairs, beautiful devices with blue arrows. The range of sequence adjustments is sufficient, but the rabble is tuned only in the vertical plane is minus. You have to move a pedal node. 
Chairs shares a waste armrest. Perhaps this is the only element in the cabin that reminds about the Gallotor dimensions of the machine. Inside there is no feeling of big space. But, objectively, five adults are placed on two rows quite comfortably. At the same time, the front passenger may complain about the closer in the legs. Low glove box rests on his knees. The car is long, and this allowed to place two extra comfortable chairs. However, there will be better to sleep with low-spirited people. 
Front seats with electric drive, ventilation, separate heated pillows and backs (I wonder why?). Climate control is separate for the front passengers and a common one for the second row. In the center console, two slots are one for DVD, another for CD changer on 6 disks. Rear passengers are given the right to manage the audio system and warm themselves through the chairs. On the ceiling 7-inch monitor of the multimedia system, as well as in the front zone, the folding buttons of the second row seats. I pressed the urbin times, the back fell, pressed two backs together with the pillow obediently pressed against the front seats. Alas, it is possible to return everything in place only directly by the power of the hands. 
The laconic console is made of the root on the species of black plastic. But there is a minus difficult to control with small climate control buttons at the bottom. But above stylish rectangular clock (with two digits 9 and 3). The updated V8 has 200 cubes (now 6.2 liters) than the former motor, and acquired the variable phases of the VVT \u200b\u200bgas distribution phases. The cylinder block is no longer cast iron, as before, but from an aluminum alloy. The measures taken were removed from the engine 403 and 565 nm. Helps the motor a new striped automatic. It seemed that it was a little late when switching down. In any case, the progress compared to the predecessor there was already four steps at all. The automatic transmission is controlled by a subwoofer, which has a funny manual switching mechanism on the end of the handle there is a small biscuit button with symbols +/-. We assume that GOB from it will be only on off-road. On the highway and in the city is uncomfortable.
Escalade's dynamics will envy a different sports car. 6.5 seconds up to one hundred this is not a joke. Especially on such a giant! And what an evil rumble announces the county when the car rifles forward! Confident and easily Cadillac reaches the maximum speed of 180 km / h (limited by electronics). I accelerates before this indicator and realized that he was critical. It will be just dangerous faster. 
To rotate the wheels from one extraordinary position to another, you need 3.4 battered turnover. You will have to turn it often to refill a big car turns. Sometimes, with a particularly fast rotation, the productivity of the hydraulic agent falls, and the taxiing requires additional effort. Unpleasant. Feedback is purely symbolic, in the bridge it has to grope. It is not important and at high-speed movement on the Fidbek highway disappears completely. When the speedometer arrows passed the mark 140, Escalade should be attentively constantly required by piring. And zero empty 
Nevertheless, Americans talk about improvements in the chassis. The new frame is 49% tougher on twisting than the predecessor. Changes touched the front suspension. Now the shock absorbers are inside the springs. The rear patch is finalized, the rinse is expanded in front of 76.2, 25.4 mm is rear. The suspension in the database is equipped with a fully automatic system of adjustable ROAD SENSING shock absorbers, which constantly changes the rigidity of the racks and supports the horizontal position of the body. It is a pity that in fact only the auxiliary action of the system is felt. The car rolls and loops the nose with a sharp acceleration of Road Sensing only partially eliminates these shortcomings. In fairness, I note that the suspension helps with the vertical squabble right. 
But if you go calmly, Cadillac will deliver great pleasure. It is worth a little slow down, and where before the blows gave birth to the vibration of unsophisticated masses, Escalade will carry the saddles, without breaking their rest. In addition, he will delight excellent audio and first-class noise insulation. On the track, the car calmly goes on cruising speed of 120 km / h, not tiring the driver. And passengers and are glowing at all from happiness. 
Perhaps someday, after 2030, I will sit in a new generation of Escalade. I will not change over the years of time. But Cadillac, you look, will become completely different. For example, a hybrid crossover with acute handling. Naturally, I will not be surprised to this. He was not surprised today, realizing that the new Caddy retained the names. Strong it is a heredity. The editors thanks for the help of the organization of photographing Imperial Park Hotel & SPA (www.imperialhotel.ru)
Prices and configuration Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade is sold only with the V8 engine (403 hp) and 6-speed automatic transmission. Package Three: Base (from $ 97 250), MID (from $ 103,200) and TOP (from $ 107 300). The structure of the Stabili Track rate system is included in the brass version, the automatic height body adjustment system, the anti-test system, driver and passenger PB, three-zone climate control, cruise control, leather cabin upholstery, front seats with electrically regulatory, memory and heated, audio system Bose with DVD receiver and 10 speakers, on-board computer, rear parking sensors, rain sensor, wheels R18, etc.
The test car was in the configuration of the MID, into which the heated steering wheel was added, the seventure of the second row with the electric appliance, leather upholstery and heating, a more cool audio system. The cost of such a car is $ 103,200.
Text: Leonty Tyteleev
A source: Motor magazine [April 2007]
