Originally Posted by swajames' post='817725' date='Mar 15 2009, 09:50 PM

BMW's risk is that it is the engine that really defines the M5 (its suspension isn't radically different to the 550i M-Sport) and introducing turbocharging into the mix creates a whole new dynamic in terms of how competitors respond. The engine in the CTS-V is closely related to the plant in the Corvette ZR-1, and it will not be at all difficult for GM to undo the restrictions that limit the CTS-V unit to "just" 556bhp compared to the 638 in the ZR-1. Not many people realize that GM has been using electro-magnetically controlled shocks from Delphi on the CTS-V - these are the same ones Ferrari is using in the 599 and Audi is using in the R8. By the time the F10 M5 is with us, the CTS-V will have evolved too, and it is likely have a powerplant and a ride/handling balance capable of matching whatever BMW throw at the F10.

So in a nutshell, I'm not so sure that the position is as clear as you think.