Test Drive Cadillac SRX since 2009 SUV
Cadillac SRX V8.
In the new millennium, the brand Cadillac seemed to gain the second breath. The company's manufacturing program is developing very dynamically. Only in 2003 several fundamentally new model rows appeared at once. With CTS sedan, we have already met, now it has come the SRX SUV turn.
A quick look at the Cadillac model is capable of experienced expert to cause light confusion. Here everything is extremely confusing: pickups and SUVs are adjacent to cars, and frankly old-fashioned models reluctantly divide the area of \u200b\u200bshowrooms with avant-garde new products. This is a direct consequence of a program taken several years ago from the Cadillac brand's crisis. The rate is made on an exclusively aggressive strategy for changing the image of cars and actually stamps, as well as to create fundamentally new models. Therefore, classic models such as De Ville are still produced for conservative clients, but the fate of the brand is more connected with the success of new models. The most important thing is that in General Motors and the Cadillac division finally became much attention to pay the requirements of the market. It is thanks to this that Escalade, ESV and ECX Pickups, built on the basis of Chevrolet models and bringing the company's solid profit bases. Now the debut has come for cars capable of refreshing the Cadillac passenger program. The first CTS appeared - an interesting sedan offering a new look at the cars of the brand. Wasi's clumsion remained in the past - his design is rapid, and the chassis in many ways corresponds to European canons. Extravagant XLR roadster appeared a little later, designed to become a worthy opponent Mercedes SL and Jaguar XK8. But, perhaps, even more we were waiting for another premiere from Cadillac - the new SRX SUV.
Probably, it is in such a model Mark Cadillac now needs the most. SRX debuts in the SUV segment, according to its qualities as close as possible to passenger cars. The generally accepted legislator of this genre is the BMW X5, which for the first time combined behavior on the asphalt of a sports sedan with forms and dimensions of the traditional SUV. To this day, it is the X5 that remains a role model, despite the emergence of a number of excellent followers, including the VW Touareg couple and Porsche Cayenne, as well as Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX45. The new model from Cadillac is designed to select buyers just have these cars. But, as it often happens, the creators of the novelty caught not only the alleged sales volumes. SRX should also demonstrate the progressive of the Cadillac brand, its ability to keep up with the times, the ability to follow the latest market trends. It is not by chance that this SUV on a par with CTS will receive the right to represent a brand in Europe, where it is very critical of the innovations of American companies. In early 2004, SRX should formally appear on the Russian market. Dynamics and aggression
You need to pay tribute to Cadillac designers. In a short time, they were able to develop a new brand corporate identity - under their own name ART & SCIENCE. For the first time, this design appeared on Cadillac concept box several years ago. Then few people believed in the emergency embodiment of a new style on mass machines. Now thanks to the CTS sedan, these chopped surfaces firmly entrenched in our consciousness. Moreover, everything happened so quickly that no other automakers had yet had time to adapt this style for its models. The style of Cadillac remains unique, and it can not but flatter the owner of the new car.
With an external examination of SRX, it is necessary not only to pay attention to individual interesting details, but also to get used to the general proportions and the appearance of the car. With the same with the usual X5, the height of Cadillac turns out to be longer than BMW at 17 cm. Most of this advantage falls on a wheelbase, reaching a solid 295 cm. Therefore, at the first meeting, especially when evaluating the machine from a long distance, SRX successfully prevents a passenger car - stretched in The length is universal. Its silhouette for a rarity dynamic - behind the beveled forefront there is a firmly shot down block of a passenger compartment that intrigues an unusual glazing line. Practically flat surfaces, many straight lines - this approach to the design of the car attracts its novelty. Especially note the solution of the back of the SRX: the glass of the back door and the beveled blocks of the side glasses look in one. Stylish and extremely effectively. But the main bid in Cadillac was done on the branded lighting. Front everything is already familiar to CTS, there is only differences in the color scheme and sizes. But the rear lights simply cause admiration. It becomes clear how much the potential for the individualization of cars is laid in the use of the newest LEDs. Under transparent dark-related caps hide spectacular compositions from red or yellow points - depending on the need. And the driver who goes next to SRX, not to notice or ignore these signals will be extremely difficult. Impressive and powerful headlight illumination. The SUV with such a formidable forefront will not have problems with breakthroughs on the left row of highways.
Functionally and interesting But the interior design of the SRX causes dual feelings. On the one hand, SRX and here demonstrates many interesting and new solutions. But it is in the cabin that they are combined with elements in traditional American style. And this union is not everyone recognizes harmonious. If short, the Cadillac interior simply lacks harmony and integrity that distinguish the BMW X5.
In recent years, Cadillac has done an incredible path in many directions of automotive, in particular, in creating interiors. From the archaicity of the old days is made a step towards German standards. And in the case of SRX it is easy to see where success managed to succeed, and where there is no. Definitely good instrument panel with stylish scales with bright silver backlit. And immediately grieves the central console, which simply does not correspond to this high avant-garde spirit. The yellow backlight of its displays, smooth and frankly cheap plastic disappointing the owners of German top models. At the same time, the location of the elements, the management of them cause only positive emotions. With ergonomics, everything is fine, but with the materials of the finish is not very much. And from the abundance of wooden inserts, we have a slight confusion. They look like a rarity conservative, which does not quite answer bright and fresh car concept.
But the SRX salon conquers its size. However, this space is not always used rational. Doors are distinguished by massiveness and severity. But they open access to two rows of seats with a comfortable fit. True, the front rack is tilted forward too much, which is why the front passenger's front passenger will feel completely comfortable. But otherwise there is enough free space with a large margin, while the front seats are distinguished by an incredible width that even the rollers of lateral support do not. Less lucky passengers of the third row of seats. At these places, rising people in long trips will be closely and inconvenient. Space for the legs here is very limited, according to this SRX indicator loses not only full-size models of the TAHOE class, but also classmate Volvo XC90. Not by chance in the US, the third row of seats is offered for SRX as an option. At the same time, by pressing only one button in the trunk, you can be folded, having received a completely smooth floor. Such practicality will delight many, because with three rows of seats, the trunk SRX is quite modest.
If the DVD player and the game console is already difficult to call unique options for the American SUV, then the huge glass hatch UltraView is in memory for a long time. It allows you to open fresh air access at half the cabin. This solution is beneficial to SRX from competitors.
Quickly and boring The technical characteristics of the car provided for us forced us to treat him seriously. Under the hood is located V8, which is 4.6 liters and with a capacity of 315 hp. Called again natural associations with X5 and FX45. Northstar Motors Architecture, which are traditionally installed on Cadillac, promised a more lively temperament than Escalade, which has a motor simpler - VORTEC series with two valves per cylinder. New generation Northstar can boast 32 valves and a modern system with variable valve opening phases. A five-range HYDRA-MATIC machine is installed in a pair to it with manual switching. The first trial overclocking from the spot was justified by our expectations. After pressing the accelerator pedal before the extreme position, it is necessary to smooth and quickly moving the arrow of the speedometer. The short straight line has already ended, there were 140 km / h on the speedometer, and SRX did not demonstrate the loss of vigor. Alas, weather conditions and wet roads did not allow us to check the behavior of the car at speeds above 160 km / h, but, repeat, the dynamics was impressive. This is confirmed by independent American tests: to accelerate 0-96 km / h SRX spends 6.6 s.
Against the background of these excellent indicators in real life, a small surprise presents a gearbox. Hydra-Matic is still losing the German automatic machine from ZF in the efficiency and definition of working precisely in those moments when the decision is required to make a decision on the choice of transmission. If, after moving at a constant speed, it is an attempt to vigorously accelerate, the Hydra-Matic switches to the transfer down after a short pause, as if demanding from the driver confirmation of the need for rapid acceleration. Further throw will be a fair pay for this delay. At the same time, to win a couple of moments at the machine with a manual switching mode, it is also hardly possible. Here we will have the same delay. For real temperamental drivers, you can only advise on urban conditions in manual mode to be limited to II or III transmission, thereby seeking instant response to pressing the accelerator pedal. Frankly surprised the work of SRX brakes on the same wet coverage. It would seem that brake discs with a diameter of 323 mm in front and 320 mm rear serve as a reliable guarantee of effective deceleration in any conditions. But the brakes themselves are simply affected by their non-informative: in the entire range of the course of the heavy pedal, the SRX demonstrates a smooth slowdown, but without much enthusiasm. There is no complaints to the magnitude of the brake path, but to accurately predict where the car stops, the driver is unable. This behavior can be partly to write off the braking mechanism of a new car that is still sensible. However, we remember that similar symptoms of Mercedes ML do not disappear and after proper running.
According to the SRX suspension settings, it turns out to be close to German counterparts. The 18-inch SRX wheels are soft enough, but at the same time it is quite predictable. An explicit disadvantage can be attributed to the clearly audible bryacking of some elements in the back, manifested on wavy irregularities. The behavior and responsiveness of the car during aggressive driving will have to get used to. Of course, it is difficult to expect special sensations from the all-wheel drive crossover with a mass of over 2 tons. At one time and X5, and the FX45 were able to hit us with new emotions, and SRX on their background looks quite traditional sacrifice. There is no doubt that SRX will be able to many people like their behavior on the road. All predictably, neatly and without excessive risk. But fans of acute sensations should look at its main opponents. The steering is deprived of the precision accuracy and informativeness that SUV are famous with real sports ambitions. Here the bet was made not on sharpness, but on the ease of rotation of the steering wheel. And such an attempt to meet the queries of mass American customers, obviously, it was affected by the pleasure of aggressive drivers from the car management process.
Perspectives
Let's try to sum up. Cadillac SRX liked the bright appearance, a roomy salon with interesting options and a powerful V8. Weak places include the unimportant quality of the execution of individual parts of the cabin, tuned to comfortable, and not on the high-speed driving of the checkpoint, steering and suspension. The American automotive press arranged a SRX magnificent reception, which pretends and good sales results on the cadillac native field. In Europe, GM has to hope only for fans of real American cars. If the CTS sedan can still somehow imagine in the form of an interesting alternative to the prestigious European models of the segment D, then the large SRX will uniquely be able to compete with X5 and ML, especially since the diesel version it will not receive. In Russia, as always, everything is more complicated. Interest in large, stylish and rapid crossovers are great. And the new Cadillac will be able to compete with the same Infiniti FX, having official sales as a serious trump and, accordingly, the branded guarantee. The only question is whether the potential SRX buyer will want to terms come up with those true overall minor flaws that never find in the FX or X5? We will not forget that for cars worth over 80 thousand dollars usually impose the highest requirements ...
Some specific characteristics of Cadillac SRX V8
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 4950x1844x1722
Base, mm: 2957
Pitch in front / rear, mm: 1572/1580
Clearance: 208.
Trunk volume, l: 238-1968
Curb weight, kg: 2015
Engine type: gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder
Working volume, cube. CM: 4572.
Max. Power, hp / rpm: 320/6400
Max. Moment, nm / rpm: 427/4400
Drive: Full
Transmission: Automatic 5-Range with manual switching
Tires: 235/60 R18 / 255/55 R18
Max. Speed, km / h: no data
Access time 0-100 km, s: less than 7
Fuel consumption (city / route), l / 100 km: 24,0 / 18.0
Volume of tank, l: 76
Fedor Oldin.
Source: Magazine "Autopanoram"
