2009 BMW M5 vs 2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Performance - Comparison

Cadillac's new CTS-V currently holds the record (with a time of 7:59.32) as the fastest production sedan on stock tires around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Naturally, for this comparison we added hot laps to our usual testing regimen. Though our road course at the Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) near San Bernardino, California, was no Nordschleife (laps times were just under one minute), the mix of straights, very tight turns, and quick sweepers nonetheless provided a revealing look at the distinctly different personalities of the M5 and CTS-V.

The BMW proved a surprise into the very first corner. The front end doesn't bite as you expect a BMW to do, and steering feel is lacking (hard to believe that the pushy M5 is in any way related to the brilliantly responsive M3). In compensation, the rear end resolutely locks onto the asphalt, even with traction control off. (Though the M5 operates in "P400" daily driving mode by default, delivering 395 SAE horsepower, by programming the M Driving Mode system via the iDrive controller, the driver can select P500 mode -- all 500 horses -- or P500 Sport, for full power and quicker throttle response. We ran our hot laps in P500 Sport with stability and traction controls off.) Accelerating through a fast, tricky left-right sweeper, the M5 never so much as slipped a wheel. Best lap time: 58.5 seconds.

The CTS-V behaves like a 180-degree M5. Its front end delivers gobs of grip, and steering feel is exemplary; turn-in is quick and satisfying. Its rear end, though, will head for the North Pole at the slightest overindulgence of throttle (though the car's StabiliTrak system offers normal and Competitive modes, we again lapped with all chassis electronics switched off). It's all torque-flooded, tail-happy grins, yes, but take care not to get carried away. Through the same sweeper that the M5 negotiated like a slot car, the CTS-V readily stepped sideways -- in third gear. It takes determination to keep that ferocious ZR1 motor from getting the upper hand, but the Caddy's power and grip advantages pay real dividends. Best lap time: 58.1 seconds.