cadillac is the reason that the m5 must have 550hp??? dude what are you smoking? The BMW developers doesn't even know the Cadillacs and don't care about them... they care about audis or mercs
the m5 has to have 550bhp cause every new model has more hp than the predecessor... and cause it's fucking 2tons heavy...
When Caddy beat the E60 M5's record at the 'Ring, it took notice...even the European rags and car shows took notice and were comparing the V to M5...
It is not the only reason, but part of the reason...the CTS-V benchmarked the M5, Audi's RS6 had 580 hp, and Mercedes had over 500, BMW had to have more than the E63, and definitely more than the V...
It's no coincidence that the V has 556, the engine in the F10 M5 is the same in the X5 M/X6 M, but tweaked to make 555-560. And there is a more tweaked version coming out...
Don't give me that Euro blah, blah...because BMW did take notice, they have to...
Of course every new model comes with more HP, but they had to go the TT route due to emissions, otherwise, they would have used the 580 hp engine in the e60 M5 CSL...
The M5 is the benchmark, bar none, and can't have it's title usurped, from anyone...
Whether it be on the 'Ring or in the showrooms. Cadillac is serious, and not playing games, just like Lexus was serious...and you know how Mercedes and BMW slept on Lexus.