By Camilo Alfaro

Cadillac hits a homerun with the all-new 2008 CTS. The CTS is bolder, quieter and more powerful with a modern aggressive design to rival BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS 350.

Walking around the CTS, you immediately notice its new forceful look including the functional engine heat extractors that you currently see in the Escalade and to appear on the new STS. With a robust grill that states, “Get out of my way,” the CTS is also as civil and elegant as any luxury vehicle in its class. The CTS is 2 inches wider both in the front and the rear than its predecessor. Sculpted fenders have an intimidating stance, giving an extensive look to the car. It almost looks like it is on steroids.

A glance at the interior and all you here is “welcome home.” The newly designed interior is as sporty as ever and shall tickle the most die-hard enthusiast to the simplest of drivers. Cadillac has gone a long way to make sure that the CTS is as quiet as possible with triple sealed doors and a vast amount of interior insulation for a quieter driving environment.

I have no idea how the designers did it, but they found a nice balance of elegance and sporty. The seats are comfortable and provide excellent support. When choosing your lighting options, go with the optional HID lighting (a must for any car buyer) that includes advanced forward lighting that automatically adjusts headlamp direction for improved visibility. The CTS comes standard with an impressive sound system, but buyers can also spur for the ten-speaker 300-watt Bose 5.1 cabin Surround audio system that includes an optional 40-gigabyte hard-drive so that you can download your tunes to the car or “rip” (it burns the song on the hard-drive) them as you go when your driving off a currently playing CD. Even though in theory this feature is cool, I really didn't see the point. You can also connect to the 40-gigabyte hard drive via the USB port using a memory stick, and or iPod, but when I tried this feature it didn't want to accept my memory stick. The optional pop-up navigation system is fantastic. It provides up to date traffic information and is very easy to use.

“We took the philosophy of choosing the best of the best technology components,” David Leone, Global Vehicle Chief Engineer explains. “A perfect example is that we choose Alpine for our audio and navigation systems.”

The CTS comes with an optional Smart Remote start system, a keyless system that allows you to enter the car, and to start the CTS. The system works using an already stationary key that ignites the car. If you don't use this options, the Cadillac stays true to the enthusiast by using a key and not a push button starting system found in the competition. Both versions allow you to turn a key and I believe there is nothing better than turning the key and hearing the engine come alive into a living dream of driving paradise.

The CTS comes with two engine choices: an optional 3.6-liter V6 with direct ignition that produces 304 horsepower. The direct ignition achieves 15 percent more horsepower, 8 percent more torque, 3 percent better fuel economy and best of all 25 percent fewer hydrocarbon emission at start-up. The standard engine choice is a 3.6-liter V-6 with VVT that produces 263 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Buyers get the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an optional Hydra-Matic 6l50 six-speed automatic. Best of all you will be able to choose between a rear wheel drive (RWD) or an all wheel drive (AWD) configuration.

Now for the tricky part, the CTS comes with three suspension choices: FE1 (balanced), FE2 (handling), and the FE3 (track). The FE1 is a balanced ride/handling package that comes with 17-inch wheels and all season tires and mainly used for a comfortable driving scenario. The FE2 is a handling oriented package that comes with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (larger brakes for the AWD models). The FE3 is a track ready suspension package that only comes in the RWD version and with 18-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. The manual transmission CTS with direct ignition can only get option FE2 (handling) and FE3 (track). The AWD can only come with suspension package FE1 (balanced) and FE2 (handling).

The main reason for these different suspension options is mainly due to the fact that the CTS chassis is track ready. I had the opportunity to drive the CTS at Laguna Seca racetrack in Northern California, and let me tell you the new CTS rocks. I have always been a huge fan of the previous generation CTS and thought that it outperformed its competition in track conditions, but the new CTS kicks up a notch! So if you love spirited driving, the optional direct ignition model with the track ready suspension is the way to go. It is a track superstar! The CTS is well balanced and provides major levels of comfort and safety that translates into confidence behind the wheel. Driving around town, the CTS got all the looks. It is easy to maneuver and has all the characteristics of a great car.

The CTS starts at $32,990. Cool options include the Vista roof for $1,450. You can configure the car any way you want, but Cadillac has made it easy for you by pre-configuring them into packages called collections. You can get the luxury collection for $36,890, the Performance collection for $37,590, and the Premium collection for $42,425. If you have been waiting for a great entry-level luxury car to buy, then wait no more, the new CTS offers everything and more providing great value and still be under $40,000. The competition will find the CTS hard to beat, especially when the CTS-V comes out with 500 horsepower next year! I wonder if it will have the Z06 engine?