0 Sunday Featured Review

BMW M5

The BMW M5 is a high performance version of the BMW 5-Series executive car built by the Motorsport division of BMW. First introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1984, the first incarnation of the M5 was hand-built utilizing the 535i chassis and a modified BMW M1 engine, being the fastest production sedan in the world at the time of its introduction. Subsequent iterations of the M5 have been built from each generation of the 5-Series platform, including the E34, E60/E61, and most recently, F10, with the first orders to be delivered in late 2011.

Due to the longevity of its nameplate and undisputed position at the top of BMW's midsize lineup, the M5 remains one of the best known sport sedans, despite competition from Mercedes-AMG and Audi Quattro GmbH.

The last M5 had a V10, but that’s gone, replaced by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, similar to the engine found in the X5M. So it’s torquier than the outgoing version, but the engineers say it also revs high. And although they stared silently when we asked about power, they didn’t shrug too much when we suggested somewhere around 550bhp.

And whereas the old car had a rather violent SMG, this one will deliver power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed double-clutch ’box.

BMW M5 rear

A 4.4-liter V8 with an M-developed TwinPower Turbo Package features the M division’s latest technology combined with BMW’s turbocharging know-how. Power is rated at 560 horsepower available from 6,000 to 7,000 rpm, which should keep fans of the M-division’s high-revving engines satisfied. Torque delivery is at the opposite end of the spectrum: A full 502 lb-ft. is available from just 1,500 rpm free, BMW says, of any negative effects of turbo lag.

As a result, the M5 sprints to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds, or 124 mph in a mere 13 seconds flat. Its top speed is limited to 155 mph, although an available Driver’s Package will push that up to 190 mph.

Despite the power boost, BMW says that fuel consumption is down 30 percent thanks to a full complement of Efficient Dynamics upgrades, like automatic start/stop and brake energy regeneration.

Enjoy watching my shared car (video) review from M-Power.com, the official website of BMW.

4.4 L V8 Twin Turbo

BMW M5

Specifications
Body style:     4-door saloon/sedan
Layout:           FR layout
Platform:        F10M
Engine:           4.4 liter V8 Twin Turbo
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch transmission
                        6-speed manual
Horsepower:   560 bhp at 7000 rpm
Wheelbase:     2,964 mm (116.7 in)
Length:           4,910 mm (193.3 in)
Width:            1,892 mm (74.5 in)
Height:           1,451 mm (57.1 in)
Curb weight:  1,945 kg (4,288 lb)

Speed:
    Top Speed:  155 mph (250 kph)
                        305 kph (w/ M-Drivers-Package)
    0-100 kph :  4.4 seconds