SPORT SEDAN SHOOTOUT: 2013 BMW M5 vs. 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Video - Who Takes The Crown NOW?

It’s tough to be the king. Sit upon a throne long enough and someone’s bound to come along and try to knock you off—as was the case in the summer of 2008 when Cadillac released its all-new CTS-V to challenge the nearly 4-year-old sports sedan king, the BMW M5 (2009 Cadillac CTS-V vs. 2008 BMW M5 SMG). It was a historic moment that has helped to redefine Cadillac’s image. GM’s luxury division made no bones about it in 2008, as it specifically developed the CTS-V to knock the 2005–2010 E60 M5 off its pedestal. BMW graciously rose to the challenge and fought it out with the upstart on the racetrack, the BMW driven by Bill Auberlen and the CTS-V by John Heinricy. Not surprisingly, the CTS-V narrowly edged out the M5. If it hadn’t, we suspect someone in Cadillac’s engineering department would have been fired. Fast forward and BMW is now ready for some payback with its new F10 M5.

This time, however, we’ve skipped inviting the pro drivers in favor of driving ourselves. We wrangled up the first manual-transmission BMW M5 in the U.S. and took it to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada, where the CTS-V—now in its fourth year—stoically waited to get its clock cleaned. Turnabout is fair play, and the boys at Cadillac know it; it’s put up or shut up with these two. As icing on the cake, we did some back-road driving and then performed acceleration testing on the 7-speed MDCT-equipped M5 for good measure. On track, it’s all about the 6-speed manuals and an apples-to-apples comparison brawl that left these two blacker and bluer than when they arrived.

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ThierryHenry14 - 6/26/2012 10:34:35 AM

+1 Boost

If its a nonexistent market, I'm sure BMW and GM and MB and Jaguar and Audi and Porsche and Aston Martin wouldn't have buiit cars for this "markeet"... Food for thought...

racerf109 - 6/25/2012 8:04:37 AM

+2 Boost

I would go for the M5, it's faster without sacrificing any luxuries.

pepito66 - 6/25/2012 9:19:15 AM

+3 Boost

M5 for sure....

pmrmd - 6/25/2012 9:44:39 AM

+3 Boost

I have a CTS-V and its a great car. But the M5 is newer, with a better transmission, and right now its the way to go. GM hasn't made any changes to the car in 4 years.

Car4Life - 6/25/2012 10:07:19 AM

+2 Boost

nice M5...but I'd still end up walking across the street the Merc dealer and picking up an E 63...can not beat the sound and prestige

lexworld - 6/25/2012 7:54:34 PM

0 Boost

...Yep, Definately the M-5. And the sound of that V-10, with high RPM's. Come on Lexus!! Bring that GS-F to the party!!!

ThierryHenry14 - 6/26/2012 10:35:59 AM

-1 Boost

V10?

lexworld - 6/26/2012 11:18:49 AM

+1 Boost

Oops...Your right TH14, I think they're using a forced-induced turbo-charge V8...Yeah still, that V10 is a great run for the Caddy as well and sounds, looks & performs better anyway u put it! I love the performance of those Bimmers but hate the reliability of'em, so I'll stick w/ Mr Toyoda even after 15 yrs.

skytop - 6/27/2012 11:14:46 AM

+1 Boost

Good R&T video. I concur with the results favoring the BMW over the Gov't Motors Cadillac.

bmwm6 - 7/6/2012 1:43:51 PM

+2 Boost

Just read this in the magazine. Both cars were equipped with 6 speed manuals, but the M5 was still considerably quicker. They also posted the numbers for an DCT equipped M5 they tested, and it hit 60 in 3.6 seconds, and hit 120mph in 12 flat over 1.5 sec quiker than the caddy.