EDIT: On track, it may well edge out the BMW in 17 out of 20 extreme categories but brought back to public roads, BMW just makes more sense as an overall competent package that works very well on both road and track.
Funny you should mention that. I've seen both reasons for the competition NOT able to win. If the competition beats the BMW on the track, the magazine will say "but the BMW really shines on the street!".......but if the BMW gets beat on the street, they will say "but thew BMW really shines on the track!".
They'll find a way for the BMW to win.....
In this car "journalism" business, BMW is rather well known for its hospitality. Want that invite to the Riveria? Well, then you'd better not say the obvious, for example:
"The 528i is a huge, bloated device that drives like a tank. The four banger shakes and clacks at idle, which is totally unacceptable for a car that costs upward of $60,000."
Instead, you'll hear:
"The 528i maintains the spirit of the Black Forest, where the little elves have been creating the Ultimate Driving Machine for almost sixty years. While the four cylinder engine may be slightly, just a little, eeetnsy-weentsy bit unsmooth for one millisecond a day, it in no way takes away from the Ultimate Driving Experience."
And when the next product intro (in South Africa, for example) comes along, you'll get an invite!