BMW 550i The BMW 5 Series

2011 BMW 550i - Click above for high-res image gallery

More than one mile above sea level, located in the heart of Sequoia National Park, is the General Sherman tree. This nearly three-hundred foot tall Giant Sequoia is considered the largest tree in the world, as based on total volume. More impressive than its mass is its age – scientists believe it is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. Giant Sequoias have prospered over centuries, while countless lesser trees have come and gone, because they posses very unique qualities. Their foot-thick bark allows them to resist fire, and their shallow roots take advantage of rain showers during periods of drought. And, in an interesting twist of natural survival, their tall canopies effectively block the sun, preventing competitors from taking hold and surviving in the darkened shadows at their base.

The BMW 5 Series is in a similar position. The long-established benchmark mid-size sport sedan finds itself in a constant battle with competitors trying to push it aside in an effort to capture its territory. Instead of resting on its laurels, BMW re-engineers the four-door once every eight years to conform to a changing and ever crowding segment.

Introduced earlier this year, the all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series breaks new ground. Now sharing platforms with the 7 Series, the sedan seems to have changed its tune from sport to luxury. We spent a week with the range-topping 550i, fitted with the automaker's twin-turbo 400-horsepower V8, to put our fingers on its new mission.

Bosal Muffler Single inlet and outlet configuration; 35 in. L x 10 in. W x 12 in. H

Bosal Muffler - Natural, Aluminized steel, Direct OE Replacement, Standard OE Replacement
Part Number: BOVFM1760
Manufacturer Number: VFM-1760
Bosal Muffler Bosal Muffler
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BOSAL REAR MUFFLER, ALUMINIZED STEEL, NATURAL FINISH, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- Single inlet and outlet configuration; 35 in. L x 10 in. W x 12 in. H; Oval casing; Standard direct fit OE replacement; Made to fit vehicle-specific requirements for backpressure, emissions, sound levels, and sensors; Precision-manufactured to high tolerances for long life; Easy installation.

Cadillac CTS Performance

The first thing I'd do is opt out of these seats. Yeah, I know they're Recaros and I guess to some that's supposed to mean performance or something, but frankly they're not that good. Support is in the wrong places, and I can't adjust them to a comfortable position. Maybe it's me, but I've never had this problem with Recaros before.

The rest of the car is OK; it's tight and solid. Something weird happened this morning when I first started the car; it was jerky under part throttle. It idled smoothly and if I got in to the gas, it smoothed out, but partial throttle it was just the slightest bit rough. Once it was warmed up it felt fine. There is enough power here, though.

The interior is nice except for the aforementioned seats, and I find the touch screen hard to see in certain light.

Overall, not a bad piece, but no way in hell I'd take one over an A6. The Audi A6 with the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 hits the sweet spot for me.

SENIOR EDITOR FOR NEWS BOB GRITZINGER: Maybe I found a button that Wes didn't, but once I let some of the pressure out of the lumbar support, that Recaro driver's seat fit like a glove. Some might find the CTS cabin a tad claustrophobic, but I find it a cozy and contained cocoon with everything right where I want it. The driving position felt near-perfect for my 5-foot-10 frame.

I agree that this V6 offers plenty of power, revving nicely when pushed and running silently otherwise, matching the whole Cadillac ethos of refined performance. It may not be quite as silky as an inline BMW six-cylinder, but what is?

Otherwise, the car rides and handles well, managing bumps without drama and smoothing out most surfaces without any disconnected softness in the suspension. The steering effort builds perfectly in cornering.

There's little here to quibble about: I'd like some clarity to the busy center stack, which combines big obvious knobs and buttons with the not-so-obvious touch-screen controls. The combination, which I think Lexus also seemed to think was smart, makes it hard to figure out which control to use to manage audio and navigation. My tendency is to grab the big knob in the middle to change map scale, or to tune the radio, and it doesn't do either. Just a little frustrating, and something that I assume an owner would figure out in due time.

Overall, this is one great sports sedan, one that drives, handles and looks the like one.

SENIOR WEB REPORTER GREG MIGLIORE: This athletic Cadillac is a great example of power and luxury. It handles very spryly, and I did a couple of energetic loops through turnarounds with ease. The chassis is nice and tight and the body well controlled. I also found the steering to be very precise, and it offers more feedback in more vigorous driving.

The V6 is a gem, and the power is strong and enjoyable. I love the rear-wheel drive. To me, that's a pillar of true luxury and performance.

This CTS cuts a sharp appearance, with sporty wheels, excellent headlights and taillights and gobs of refined attitude. When I think of gutsy styling, the CTS is the definition of those words.

The interior is quiet, and the dials very elegant. I liked the Recaros; they fit me perfectly. And I thought the interior struck the right tone for a stately yet powerful demeanor.

2010 Cadillac CTS Performance

Base Price: $42,390

As-Tested Price: $52,390

Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V6; RWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 304 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 273 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,874 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 21/19.8 mpg

Options: Performance luxury package including audible theft-deterrent system, LED interior ambient lighting, driver and front-passenger heated and cooled seats, rear split-folding seats, power tilt/telescoping wheel, keyless access, remote start, rear park assist, sapele wood-trim package, automatic cabin odor filter ($2,855); Recaro high-performance seats and metal pedals ($2,800); navigation system including premium sound, 10-speaker system, 40GB hard drive, satellite traffic ($2,145); 19-inch summer-tire performance package including 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, 19-inch summer tires, sport suspension system, steering-wheel-mounted shift controls, performance cooling system, performance cooling disc brakes ($2,090); underhood appearance package ($110)