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The CTS kept a lot of Cadillac folks from having to fall on their swords when it arrived for the 2002 model year.

Cadillac had bungled several attempts at an entry-level car. Cimarron in the ’80s was a Chevy Cavalier missing only the bow-tie logo. Catera in the ’90s was an Opel Omega from Europe.

By 2002, CTS had to be daring. And it delivered with edgy styling, a creased look that captivated consumers. Generation I was a huge success with sales of more than 40,000 in its first year to spark Cadillac’s turnaround.

Now comes Gen II for 2008 with expectations of 60,000-plus sales. While Gen I focused on the exterior look, Gen II completes the package with exceptional fits and finish and no uneven lines, gaps or ugly screws or fasteners showing in the cabin. Even the metal seat rails are hidden.

The chrome bar grille is back, the feature shared throughout the lineup to say “This is a Cadillac.” Front fenders sport side-air extractors lifted from the concept Sixteen of a few years ago, and the optional ultraview moonroof ($900) that extends over both rows of seats was lifted from the STX crossover.

The cabin is quiet. Consumers equate quiet with quality, so doors, hood, windshield and exhaust system have extra sealing to keep outside noise outside.

Consumers also equate quality with the ability to merge or climb inclines without sputtering and easily muscle past those napping ahead.

So Caddy added a 3.6-liter, 304-horsepower, direct-injection V-6 as an optional upgrade ($1,000) from the base 3.6-liter, 263-h.p. V-6. Direct injection delivers fuel more precisely to each cylinder to increase combustion efficiency. Fuel burns completely to provide maximum power and minimum emissions.

The V-6 is teamed with a new 6-speed automatic with manual mode in gear ratios are designed for quick initial acceleration away from the light in first gear.

Plenty get up and go without lingering.

General Motors also is testing a new system called Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition to burn all of the gas in the combustion chamber at low temperatures without need for a spark. Designed for direct-injection engines, it promises the power of gasoline at the higher mileage of diesel.

Another plus is that CTS offers front- or all-wheel-drive, the latter a $1,900 option and a must for the Snow Belt.

The CTS track is widened by 2 inches for better road manners. It also comes standard with stability control to guard against unwanted lateral movement and full-time traction control to prevent slipping when leaving the light or taking a wet corner or turn. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes also are standard.

The CTS offers three suspensions — FE1 for soft, smooth ride; FE2 for firmer ride but better handling; and FE3 with very stiff ride but optimum handling — think the track.

The test car came with FE2, which minimizes jostling over tar marks and sits fairly flat in corners. You go where the wheel points without wandering. But the seats are too stiff and side bolsters too abbreviated to hold you in place in aggressive driving. And the seat-bottom cushion is too short to prevent leg fatigue in long-distance travel.

Other shortcomings are the need for more back-seat knee and leg room and doors that open wider for easier entry and exit in back.

Optional heated/cooled seat controls are at knee level in the center console, where they are difficult to see much less use. If the huge radio buttons at the top of the instrument stack were smaller, there would be enough space to put the seat controls there.

Still, attention to detail is excellent. There’s a power plug in the center console as well as behind it and stowage under the center front-seat armrest, where you also find a USB port for that MP3 player.

Unlike most complex navigation systems, the CTS unit is practical. The screen rises out of the top of the dash and gives you real-time traffic information — green lines along your route if traffic is flowing, yellow if slowing, red if stopped. And you get an audible warning, such as “Traffic congestion 1.7 miles ahead” in time to use the off-ramp to keep from becoming one of the red lights.

Also neat is the 40-gigabyte, hard-drive audio system that allows you to pause the radio for up to an hour. Have to leave the car for a quick errand at the top of the 9th? Hit pause and then playback to catch what you missed when you return.

Trunk room is more than ample for lots of luggage. If you need more space, rear seat backs fold flat to open the cabin to cargo. However, the opening between trunk and rear cabin is narrow and tunnel-like and not wide.

CTS comes with three option packages, or collections, and a choice of level packages in the collections. The test car had an $8,000-plus premium package that includes levels one and two with such goodies as rain-sensing wipers; keyless start with remote access that not only turns the car on but also activates heater or air conditioner; 18-inch all-season radials; and rear park assist, which, surprisingly, doesn’t come with a backup camera that displays objects behind on the navi screen.

Base price is a respectable $34,545, but for $8,000 you’d expect the option package to include a driver, not just dispense heated windshield fluid.

Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, power seats/windows/locks/mirrors, satellite radio, side-curtain air bags and OnStar satellite communications system.

Speculation is that a coupe and retractable hardtop convertible are on the way.

Of Gen III, Mark LaNeve, vice president of sales and marketing, says only that GM will take a look at “such things as a dramatic coupe, high-end sedan, a vehicle smaller in size and a hybrid — not that we’ll do all of them.”

And you know what that means: Stay tuned.

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2008 Cadillac CTS

Wheelbase: 113.4 inches

Length: 191.6 inches

Engine: 3.6-liter, 304-h.p. V-6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Mileage: 17 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway

Price as tested: $43,805 *

THE STICKER

$34,545 Base

$8,015 Premium luxury collection, comprising level one and two packages that include AM/FM stereo with CD/DVD player and MP3, navigation system with real-time traffic, ultraview two-piece sunroof, Sapele wood trim, rain-sensing wipers, heated and cooled seats, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, keyless access, rear park assist, leather seats, power passenger seat, windshield washer fluid heater, 18-inch all-season radials, HID headlamps with washers, sport suspension and fog lamps

$995 Crystal red paint

$250 Compact spare

* Add $745 for freight.

PLUSES

– Redesign that’s just as dramatic and appealing as original.

– More potent direct-injection V-6.

– Outstanding attention to fit, finish and detail.

– AWD available for all-season security.

– Decent base price.

MINUSES

– An $8,000 option package?

– Rear seat a bit tight.