Test drive Ford Mondeo sedan since 2007 sedan

Everything is ghostly

The Cadillac should be large and smooth, the elegant Mazda has become a European brand, Fords are primarily available to stereotypes, but how fair are they? Middle class cars were compared by Mikhail Gzovsky. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov.
Cadillac BLS
A model on a common platform with Opel-Vetre and SAAB 9-3 debuted in 2005. In Russia, they have been sold since 2006.
Engines: gasoline 2.0 liters (175 and 210 hp); 2.8 l (255 hp); diesel 1.9 l (150 hp). Gearboxes: 5-, 6-speed mechanical and 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Base, Mid, Top.
Price: 896 600 - 1183 700 rub.
Mazda 6
The second generation debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in the fall of 2007. Russia became the first country where sales started.
Engines: gasoline 1.8 - 2.5 l (120 - 170 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-, 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Direct, Touring, Sport, Luxury.
Price: 653,000 - 865 000 rub.
Ford Mondeo
The third generation was presented in the spring of 2007 in Geneva. Export to Russia has begun in the fall of the same year.
Engines: gasoline, 1.6 - 2.5 l (125 - 220 hp), diesel 2.0 liters (130 hp). Gearboxes: 5-, 6-speed mechanical and 6-speed automatic.
Ambiente, Trend, Ghia, Ghia X, Titanium, Titanium X.
The price of basic versions: 615 000 - 975,000 rubles.
AMERICAN DREAM
It is based on the philosophy of millions of Americans. Films are shot about her and books are written. A typical story: A native of a poor family from the Mexican coast forgotten by God moves to America, where his numerous talents suddenly reveal. Starting with the most black work, he eventually achieves success and a solid position. He speaks with his subordinates in his company without an accent and lives in a five -bus house on Hollywood hills. The final and compulsory bar is a fed Cadillac in the garage.
I sit down in the expected black Cadillac-BLS. On Moscow streets, they are interested in a car, politely missed. It is difficult to say what is more important: color, brand or self -confident profile? Confidence is instantly transmitted to the driver: our movement is measured and calm. The distance before going ahead is deliberately great - it is not a royal thing to stain with the underput mud sparkling varnish of aluminum hood. The serious look of xenon headlights still does not allow you to wedge in front of you.
The only BLS that General MotorC was able to offer in the Moscow press park is obviously more powerful than rivals. But it is really great to compare it with Japanese and European cars!
A two -liter engine with a turbocharger is ready to quickly shoot a cadillac from a traffic light. Small delays in the operation of the machine become not so critical in the sports mode of the box and are compensated by an advantage in horsepower. An elastic jerk, a smooth change of course, and we are relaxed in the left row. Here it is - the element of BLS. The suburban route leaked by hundreds of test wheels only confirms the assumption: the steering of Cadillac is typically American. The helm has to be rejected from the zero mark on large corners even for the detour of minor irregularities. On the roads of the landfill, controllability subjected a detailed assessment.
With the BLS stabilization system, it is easy to control. Even if you trample the gas pedal to the floor, the electronics stubbornly sets the tachometer arrow down, and the car, crumbling with wheels, follows almost devoid of feedback by the steering wheel. And if you disable ESP? True, it is not so simple to do this, you will have to walk along the menu of the on -board computer. Like a hint: maybe not worth it? I did not understand the hint!
Deprived of the help of electronics, the Cadillac was waiting for a serious test: braking with 120 km/h on almost clean ice and the subsequent entry into the left turn almost at a right angle. It was not easy to perform the exercise. Sooner or later, BLS was scattered from side to side, the amplitudes grew frighteningly, demanding the correction of the steering wheel with jewelry accuracy not only in the treasured turn, not to fly to the chipper for long!
Still, it is better to come up with a straightforward movement for this model. However, a surprise awaits here: there is no question of the high smoothness of the BLS course. The machine copes well with minor irregularities, but misses more serious blows. A couple of times the suspension was sent to the knockout in rather harmless situations. How is it unlike an American and who said that BLS is an American? The model is not sold in the USA. It is produced in Europe, and the European chassis is hidden behind the American appearance. Probably, in the eyes of the inhabitants of the Old World, the American dream does not look as attractive as at home, behind the ocean.
Open to communication
The first Mazda-6 produced the effect of an exploding bomb in Europe. From the brand, which produced very reliable, but rather mundane outwardly the model, they did not expect such an elegant car. Having conquered the Russians, including a combination of price and quality, the six did not want to outline either externally or technically. However, time took its own, the shift came. It would seem that after the first success a new car should become even closer to the inhabitants of the Old World. But the first photos appeared, a slight surprise came with them: Mazda-6 gave a clear roll towards Asia. Take a look at the narrowed headlights, the rear lights will go on. And the second six is \u200b\u200bperceived more aggressively than the predecessor. But it is worth open the door, as this feeling disappears, giving way to a feeling of sports.
The driver’s landing is low, which, in combination with a road clearance of 124 mm, creates an almost racing mood. Despite the weaker engine than the Cadillac, you perceive Mazda-6 acceleration very dramatic. Yes, the vestibular apparatus suggests that in a second calculus of the Cadillac faster. But the response to pressing the pedal at the maza is more agile, and the change of gears is almost invisible. However, the idyll does not last long: if it is required to reduce it briskly when overtaking, the box hangs in half a second and only then turns on a low gear. With the speed of speed, the difference in power is getting more and more obvious. I will evaluate the acceleration dynamics at the hard four, but without a plus.
The smoothness of the course too. You can go on Mazda quickly, but you will have to come to terms with a constant shaking. And the rear passengers will also endure the rumble from the tires, and the noise of the rockfall, too easily penetrating through the wheel arches. It would be time to get rid of these branded features ...
Continues the topic of sports steering. Unlike the predecessor, here is an electric power, configured very sensible. The only uncomfortable mode is the asphalt movement with the scourge of our roads with ruts: the steering wheel is torn from hands. Otherwise, only positive. A tight, as if a rubber drive clearly notifies the driver, to which corner the drive wheels are turned.
And how will the car behave in critical mode? Speed \u200b\u200b120 km/h, in front of the left - turn. Sharp braking for ABS rins, small exchange rate vibrations and a confident and accurate entrance to the intended corridor. With the stabilization system disconnected, the controllability does not change radically: a logical and easily adjustable roll of the front for discharge of gas.
In recent years, Mazda loves to trump Japanese terms, only with the aim of fascinating the European ear with unusual sound. I will not repeat them, but I will dwell on the translation. Harmony with nature, tension, attention to details all this was reflected in design. Well, the most important principle was the emotional connection of the driver with the machine. Let Mazda-6 not the fastest and most comfortable car in the class, but certainly one of the most open for communication.
The secret of reputation
Henry Ford, probably, would be pleased with how his companies are developing in Russia. Following the focus, Mondeo rises to the conveyor of the plant in Vsevolozhsk.
The new Ford Mondo has already been in our hands (ZR, 2007, No. 10). That machine was equipped with the only mechanical gearbox available then and a 2-liter engine. The current Mondeo with a more powerful engine and an automatic box gains speed more willingly and is no longer perceived by heavy. In terms of accelerated dynamics, of course, not as good as Cadillac, but slightly replaying the Mazda.
I really liked the work of a 6-speed machine. He, like the boxes of competitors, with a manual mode: holds the selected passage on the overclocking and switches only down when the speed drops almost to pedestrian. In the automatic delay mode, when the transition, even at a few steps, are minimal.
A different impression remained of the steering: unlike 2-liter Mondeo, this has a heavier and assembled steering wheel, which allows to more clearly control the entrance to the turn. And here is a familiar turn: braking and Mondeo flies past the alignment! It took a couple of attempts to shoot to the turn. This is due to the setting up of the stabilization system, not always a clearly coordinating ligament steering.
Nevertheless, we appreciated Ford's behavior for a point higher than opponents. Except in an abnormal situation (obviously high speed, ice, provocatively sharp entrance to the turn), Ford behaved exemplary: he defiantly ignored the ruts, predictably slipped under the traction, obediently and quickly reacted to the commands of the steering wheel.
Ford for iot, but still preferable to rivals from the point of view of acoustic accompaniment, smoothness, spaciousness in the salon, especially on the back sofa. I think that it is the ability to please both the driver and passengers that explain the good reputation of Mondeo in the eyes of many customers. How not to recall the statement of Henry Ford: you cannot build a reputation on what you are only going to do ..
Returning the cars to the garages of representative offices, I thought: how much sometimes our idea of \u200b\u200bthe car from reality is different. Stereotypes collapse one after another: a hard and rather close Cadillac, an emotional, almost youth mazd, a solid and at the same time spurring to move actively Ford. Verily, ghostly everything in this world is raging!
Mikhail Gzovsky: Despite the loss of Mazde and Ford, Cadillac will remember more than others. Surprisingly, it sometimes falls in love with more perfect.
Cadillac VLS left America, but did not reach Europe. Having lost many features typical for the brand, he did not become clearer than the European.
General assessment 7.5
+ Great dynamics, memorable appearance.
- mediocre visibility through a narrow rear window and small outer mirrors, a tight rear sofa, prone
suspension to the breakdown.
Mazda 6 is alive, understandable in management, but without complaints about solidity, it would seem, mandatory in this class.
General estimate 8.0
+ Thoughtful ergonomics, an effective climatic installation with a large range of separate adjustments, a large trunk.
- Mal is a road clearance, a small trunk opening, mediocre smoothness, noise in the back of the cabin.
Ford Mondeo Successful combination of solid driving qualities and practicality for the family.
General assessment 8.3
+ Convenient driver's and spacious rear seat, reliable handling, low noise and vibration.
- The stabilization system, mediocre visibility, which requires addiction.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 

 

Source: The magazine "Driving"