The F90 M5 has been finally unveiled, and according to BMW, the car is as good as the 1984 original M5 – “the luxurious four-door business sedan with a taste for race track.”
The 4.4-litre V8 TwinPower Turbo has been carried over, but it now makes 441 kW/600 hp at 5,600 – 6,700 rpm, while a monumental 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque is placed at the driver’s disposal from as low down as 1,800 rpm and remains there until 5,600 rpm. All thanks to the M engineers making significant revisions to the outgoing model’s power unit. For example, newly developed turbochargers, ultra-efficient indirect charge air cooling and increased fuel injection pressure together helped raise output and torque, said BMW.
There’s also a a map-controlled, fully variable oil pump to ensure oil is supplied as and when the M5 needs it, even on the track.
The new figures result in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in just 3.4 seconds. Although the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), the optional M Driver’s Package can keep the fun coming to 305 km/h (189 mph).
The 8-speed M Steptronic transmission has been tweaked as well, and it comes with ‘Drivelogic’. Speaking of which, the technology allows the driver to adjust the transmission’s characteristics to their personal preferences.
The new M5 gets standard M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which can be adjusted as desired. The driver has different configurations to choose from based on the combinations of DSC modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD). In the basic setting with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and 4WD, the system permits slight slip through the rear wheels when accelerating out of corners. In M Dynamic mode (MDM, 4WD Sport), M xDrive allows easily controlled drifts.
For track purposes, the DSC can be completely switched off. Here, the driver can choose from three configurations including pure rear-wheel drive (2WD).
Another ingredient is the Active M Differential at the rear axle, which also works fully variably and has a locking effect between 0 and 100 per cent.
The driver can also choose from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes for the Variable Damper Control (VDC) system, which has M-specific tuning and the M Servotronic steering. The engine’s characteristics can also be configured to the driver’s tastes via the Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus modes. The two M1 and M2 buttons on the M leather steering wheel can be used to store two set-ups combining the driver’s preference of engine, transmission, suspension and M xDrive modes, the DSC mode and Head-Up-Display settings. The driver can then activate their preferred set-up by pressing the relevant button.
Bodywork changes over the regular 5 Series include redesigned broader front side panels and front bumper trim to include larger apertures for the air feeding the cooling systems and brakes. Also new is the rear diffuser. The exhaust system’s gets flap control system. The driver can use a button to adjust the engine sound as desired.
The bonnet is made from aluminium, and the roof is made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – a standard feature of the new M5.
The new M5 is fitted with M compound brakes as standard, which are lighter than conventional grey cast iron items, says BMW. The optional M carbon ceramic brakes, which can be identified by callipers painted in a gold colour, shave another 23 kilograms off the M5’s weight.
The new M5 comes as standard with polished 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Orbit Grey and M-specific tyres. 20-inch items can be specified as an option. Standard specification for the new M5 also features Merino leather and M seats with electric adjustment. The options list includes newly developed M multifunction bucket seats with better lateral support.
The new M5 carries a price tag of €117,900. Orders begin from September 2017, while the deliveries will begin in spring 2018. The ‘First Edition’ is limited to 400 examples worldwide – has BMW Individual Frozen Dark Red Metallic paintwork, is exclusively appointed and costs an extra €19,500 over the standard model.
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