MB300E87
01-23-2005, 01:05 PM
Ever since I was young I can remember having a fondness for Mercedes-Benz and the wonderful cars they make. I'm not alone as I'm sure many of you can say the same thing. We consistently favor the three-pointed star over most other car makes. But why? How many of us have actually had the opportunity to compare the cars we love with the competitor's offerings? Well, recently, I did.
Mercedes has long been the benchmark in the automotive industry. I don't need to list off all the innovations and accomplishments the company has made because it is well known and the list is long. For over a century the competitors have strived to meet the challenge put forth by Mercedes. One of those competitors is Cadillac who, quite frankly, never really did a good job of meeting the standards set by the German powerhouse.
Times are different though and Cadillac is serious about taking sales from Mercedes and the other well established luxury car manufacturers. On Sunday January 16th a friend of mine and I attended the 2005 Drive Summit sponsored by Cadillac. The event was located at the now closed El Toro Air Force Base with about 250 invited guests; myself included.
A large air-conditioned tent started out the day with free refreshments and a quick presentation introducing the three cars Cadillac is most proud of. The CTS-V, XLR, and STS were brought out onto a beautiful stage and their features were explained in a quick overview. While Cadillac was the sponsor of this event the people working at and promoting the event were employed by an independent company. During the presentations strong points along with weak aspects of each of the cars were explained. It was refreshing to hear some honest expert opinions about these three Cadillacs.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacEscalade_01.jpg
After the ten minute presentation on the main stage we were let loose onto the runways. We were told only to keep our speeds within reason and to have fun. Our first stop was the SUV area where Cadillac had a few of their SUV's ready to take the challenge from the BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. My first drive was the ML350 and I took it as fast as I dared around the track. Perhaps I?m just not used to SUV's but the body roll was nearly frightening. The pedal feel wasn?t very good and the steering seemed numb. I had always wondered what the ML was really like. There are many critics of the vehicle but a few diehard fans out there. The Cadillac Escalade was the next car and this time I sat shotgun while my friend ripped around the track. There was certainly more power but also more body roll and a depressingly cheap interior. I don't understand how this car has become such a status symbol. The dashboard seemed like it was made of cardboard. The view out of the windshield was also deplorable. As an attention getter the Escalade trumps the ML but because it's a horrible car, it lets the ML win.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/suv_1_main.jpg
After the disappointing session at the SUV track we quickly made our way over to the mid-sized sedan area. Cadillac put their CTS up against the same three competitors once again on this larger track. My first drive was in another Mercedes, this time being the C320. I stepped in to this car expecting it to disappoint me. I've never been a really big fan of the 203 and as the years have worn on I regard them less and less. I miss the 202 and its boxier and more masculine looking lines. The 203 has always seemed a bit gutless in appearance to me. Stepping inside however the interior was nice and the seats felt really good. I turned off ESP and clicked Sport mode and took off. Around the corners the C320 handled really well, much better than I thought it would. The power was somewhat lacking but that might be because I couldn't figure out how to turn off the air-conditioning. At the end of my drive I walked away very satisfied and with a new outlook on the 203. The CTS was my next stop and right away I recognized that I like the way it looks much better. It has sharp lines and an amazing front end in my opinion. Once inside the interior was very nice compared to most other American cars I?ve been in. The A-pillar was a huge block of vision however. Throughout the drive I was straining to see around it...and I was the passenger. The suspension seemed softer as there was slightly more body roll than the C320.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/sedan_1_main.jpg
On that same tract there was another car that really had no competitors from the other companies there to challenge it. It was something of a fun car there just for a lark. I'm talking about the Cadillac CTS-V. It has a 5.7 liter pushrod V8 under the hood and a beefed up suspension. The difference between the standard CTS and the CTS-V was like night and day. This car doesn't have the body roll issues to be concerned with, it has more than enough power, and aside from the A-pillar there isn't much to not like about the CTS-V. The engine of course is the best part. If you are like me, you may be used to always applauding the German V8 and either not considering the American V8's or not understanding them. German engines are far more efficient, much more technically advanced in some ways, and generally considered engineering works of art. The engine in the CTS-V is old school power. When I was a child I loved the American muscle car and driving this car reminded me of my younger days. The sound alone was enough to bring a huge smile to my face. The CTS-V roars when the pedal is pushed and you dare to let loose inside this car.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacCTS_01.jpg
Time was running out for us so we headed over to what I called the ?Bling Bling? track. This track featured the E320, E500, new BMW 5-series, the Cadillac DTS, STS, and XLR. With only enough time to drive just one car I decided to take the XLR out for a drive. The XLR I've never really liked. Something about it screams "poser" in a segment Cadillac doesn't belong in. Cadillac was up front with the participants of the Drive Summit by saying that the XLR goes directly for the Mercedes-Benz SL500. The XLR is actually a great effort to tackle the SL500. It looks like the previous SL which is a good start design-wise. There are lots of fancy options like the handless doors and the power-folding hardtop. Price is also very competitive as it is significantly cheaper than the Mercedes. Out on the track however the XLR just didn't seem to be up to snuff. I'll admit I've never driven the SL but the XLR on its own wasn't impressive. Visibility was an issue in this Cadillac too. The seating position is awkward and the sun-visors threaten to hit the driver in the forehead if the car feels its being pushed too hard. The power was decent but not impressive and the same can be said for the handling. As a flagship vehicle the XLR was a disappointment.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/cadillacXLR_01.jpg
I walked away from the 2005 Drive Summit with a different view of Cadillac than I had held before. Cadillac certainly has changed its image in the past few years. They have been turning out exciting new cars with progressive designs at a constant rate. Their SUV's still need some more work though. The Escalade is quite honestly a horrible car. The SRX, which I wasn?t able to drive, didn't even temp me to get in line. The CTS I found to be a decent vehicle and if a friend told me they would be buying one I would feel they made a good choice. The XLR was a mediocre car that didn't excite me. This is the biggest problem for the XLR. When a company is competing in this special segment the car has to be good and posses a certain amount of soul. The SL is the automotive definition of soul and has been for generations. I don't feel Cadillac will ever be able to compete with the SL at its level. The CTS-V is plain and simple an enormous amount of fun. It isn't a refined machine like its German counterparts and it's a relatively simple car. However, the CTS-V has character, a real American charm you can't help but love. It sounds great, looks great, and goes great.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacCTSV_01.jpg
What does this mean for Mercedes-Benz then? I don?t think Mercedes has anything to worry about in terms of sales in each of the segments. Irvine and Newport California, the area I live around, is full of business executives and office types who love to go after fashionable sedans. There have always been Mercedes-Benz's of all classes prowling the streets around here and there are probably even more now than ever. For all of Cadillac's new cars I don't feel they've made a huge dent. I consider the Irvine population a good judge of the customers shopping in these segments and if they're still buying a Mercedes than there is nothing to change that.
But...Cadillac must be applauded because their cars keep getting better. They've learned lessons from their more established German competitors and they've used what they've learned to make some fantastic cars. The 2005 Drive Summit also showed me that Mercedes truly is deserving of its reputation as a high-class car company. If copying is the highest form of flattery then Mercedes should be blushing right about now. The new offerings from Cadillac are a testament to what Mercedes has represented in the past, and continues to represent to the buyer now. The history, the style, and the soul of the Mercedes image is still the benchmark. The clearest way to see this is through the eyes of the competitor.
It's not over though. Next week I will be going to another GM sponsored event this time with a much more focused segment...The luxury cars! Stay tuned.
--Thomas
All photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz (http://www.mbusa.com) and Cadillac (http://www.cadillac.com). Please visit their websites for more information
Mercedes has long been the benchmark in the automotive industry. I don't need to list off all the innovations and accomplishments the company has made because it is well known and the list is long. For over a century the competitors have strived to meet the challenge put forth by Mercedes. One of those competitors is Cadillac who, quite frankly, never really did a good job of meeting the standards set by the German powerhouse.
Times are different though and Cadillac is serious about taking sales from Mercedes and the other well established luxury car manufacturers. On Sunday January 16th a friend of mine and I attended the 2005 Drive Summit sponsored by Cadillac. The event was located at the now closed El Toro Air Force Base with about 250 invited guests; myself included.
A large air-conditioned tent started out the day with free refreshments and a quick presentation introducing the three cars Cadillac is most proud of. The CTS-V, XLR, and STS were brought out onto a beautiful stage and their features were explained in a quick overview. While Cadillac was the sponsor of this event the people working at and promoting the event were employed by an independent company. During the presentations strong points along with weak aspects of each of the cars were explained. It was refreshing to hear some honest expert opinions about these three Cadillacs.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacEscalade_01.jpg
After the ten minute presentation on the main stage we were let loose onto the runways. We were told only to keep our speeds within reason and to have fun. Our first stop was the SUV area where Cadillac had a few of their SUV's ready to take the challenge from the BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. My first drive was the ML350 and I took it as fast as I dared around the track. Perhaps I?m just not used to SUV's but the body roll was nearly frightening. The pedal feel wasn?t very good and the steering seemed numb. I had always wondered what the ML was really like. There are many critics of the vehicle but a few diehard fans out there. The Cadillac Escalade was the next car and this time I sat shotgun while my friend ripped around the track. There was certainly more power but also more body roll and a depressingly cheap interior. I don't understand how this car has become such a status symbol. The dashboard seemed like it was made of cardboard. The view out of the windshield was also deplorable. As an attention getter the Escalade trumps the ML but because it's a horrible car, it lets the ML win.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/suv_1_main.jpg
After the disappointing session at the SUV track we quickly made our way over to the mid-sized sedan area. Cadillac put their CTS up against the same three competitors once again on this larger track. My first drive was in another Mercedes, this time being the C320. I stepped in to this car expecting it to disappoint me. I've never been a really big fan of the 203 and as the years have worn on I regard them less and less. I miss the 202 and its boxier and more masculine looking lines. The 203 has always seemed a bit gutless in appearance to me. Stepping inside however the interior was nice and the seats felt really good. I turned off ESP and clicked Sport mode and took off. Around the corners the C320 handled really well, much better than I thought it would. The power was somewhat lacking but that might be because I couldn't figure out how to turn off the air-conditioning. At the end of my drive I walked away very satisfied and with a new outlook on the 203. The CTS was my next stop and right away I recognized that I like the way it looks much better. It has sharp lines and an amazing front end in my opinion. Once inside the interior was very nice compared to most other American cars I?ve been in. The A-pillar was a huge block of vision however. Throughout the drive I was straining to see around it...and I was the passenger. The suspension seemed softer as there was slightly more body roll than the C320.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/sedan_1_main.jpg
On that same tract there was another car that really had no competitors from the other companies there to challenge it. It was something of a fun car there just for a lark. I'm talking about the Cadillac CTS-V. It has a 5.7 liter pushrod V8 under the hood and a beefed up suspension. The difference between the standard CTS and the CTS-V was like night and day. This car doesn't have the body roll issues to be concerned with, it has more than enough power, and aside from the A-pillar there isn't much to not like about the CTS-V. The engine of course is the best part. If you are like me, you may be used to always applauding the German V8 and either not considering the American V8's or not understanding them. German engines are far more efficient, much more technically advanced in some ways, and generally considered engineering works of art. The engine in the CTS-V is old school power. When I was a child I loved the American muscle car and driving this car reminded me of my younger days. The sound alone was enough to bring a huge smile to my face. The CTS-V roars when the pedal is pushed and you dare to let loose inside this car.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacCTS_01.jpg
Time was running out for us so we headed over to what I called the ?Bling Bling? track. This track featured the E320, E500, new BMW 5-series, the Cadillac DTS, STS, and XLR. With only enough time to drive just one car I decided to take the XLR out for a drive. The XLR I've never really liked. Something about it screams "poser" in a segment Cadillac doesn't belong in. Cadillac was up front with the participants of the Drive Summit by saying that the XLR goes directly for the Mercedes-Benz SL500. The XLR is actually a great effort to tackle the SL500. It looks like the previous SL which is a good start design-wise. There are lots of fancy options like the handless doors and the power-folding hardtop. Price is also very competitive as it is significantly cheaper than the Mercedes. Out on the track however the XLR just didn't seem to be up to snuff. I'll admit I've never driven the SL but the XLR on its own wasn't impressive. Visibility was an issue in this Cadillac too. The seating position is awkward and the sun-visors threaten to hit the driver in the forehead if the car feels its being pushed too hard. The power was decent but not impressive and the same can be said for the handling. As a flagship vehicle the XLR was a disappointment.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/cadillacXLR_01.jpg
I walked away from the 2005 Drive Summit with a different view of Cadillac than I had held before. Cadillac certainly has changed its image in the past few years. They have been turning out exciting new cars with progressive designs at a constant rate. Their SUV's still need some more work though. The Escalade is quite honestly a horrible car. The SRX, which I wasn?t able to drive, didn't even temp me to get in line. The CTS I found to be a decent vehicle and if a friend told me they would be buying one I would feel they made a good choice. The XLR was a mediocre car that didn't excite me. This is the biggest problem for the XLR. When a company is competing in this special segment the car has to be good and posses a certain amount of soul. The SL is the automotive definition of soul and has been for generations. I don't feel Cadillac will ever be able to compete with the SL at its level. The CTS-V is plain and simple an enormous amount of fun. It isn't a refined machine like its German counterparts and it's a relatively simple car. However, the CTS-V has character, a real American charm you can't help but love. It sounds great, looks great, and goes great.
http://www.cleanplatecrew.net/CadillacCTSV_01.jpg
What does this mean for Mercedes-Benz then? I don?t think Mercedes has anything to worry about in terms of sales in each of the segments. Irvine and Newport California, the area I live around, is full of business executives and office types who love to go after fashionable sedans. There have always been Mercedes-Benz's of all classes prowling the streets around here and there are probably even more now than ever. For all of Cadillac's new cars I don't feel they've made a huge dent. I consider the Irvine population a good judge of the customers shopping in these segments and if they're still buying a Mercedes than there is nothing to change that.
But...Cadillac must be applauded because their cars keep getting better. They've learned lessons from their more established German competitors and they've used what they've learned to make some fantastic cars. The 2005 Drive Summit also showed me that Mercedes truly is deserving of its reputation as a high-class car company. If copying is the highest form of flattery then Mercedes should be blushing right about now. The new offerings from Cadillac are a testament to what Mercedes has represented in the past, and continues to represent to the buyer now. The history, the style, and the soul of the Mercedes image is still the benchmark. The clearest way to see this is through the eyes of the competitor.
It's not over though. Next week I will be going to another GM sponsored event this time with a much more focused segment...The luxury cars! Stay tuned.
--Thomas
All photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz (http://www.mbusa.com) and Cadillac (http://www.cadillac.com). Please visit their websites for more information