 BMW M5 – Supercar and Luxury Sedan in One |
BMW M5 – Supercar and Luxury Sedan in One |
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22nd June, 2005
The wait is over, the V10 BMW M5 has arrived. Packaged into a four-door sedan body with the added bonus of everyday driveability, the fourth-generation M5 takes the discrete trademark M characteristics and pushes them to a whole new level. The M5 is priced from $226,000, and comes exceedingly well equipped. The latest M5 follows a long and rich heritage that can be traced back to 1972 M1, the grandfather off all M vehicles. The new E60 M5 continues a fine tradition of M5 models, in fact almost 20 years worth, which started in 1985 with the 210 kW E28 M5. The E28 M5 had a top speed of 245 km/h and was the fastest sedan of its time. The arrival of the E28 M5 also marked the beginning of a new segment, the ultra-high performance sedan. The second-generation E34 M5 arrived in 1988 boasted one of the most powerful straight six-cylinder engines ever produced, with 250 kW. The third-generation was the E39 M5 which arrived in 1998 and boasted a 5.0-litre 294 kW V8 engine. For the latest generation M5, BMW engineers looked to the epitome of motorsport competition, Formula 1, when developing their new powerhouse. The result is a 5.0-litre V10 which embraces technology honed from the BMW F1 engine programme. It shares the same number of cylinders as well as its high-revving power delivery concept. The maximum engine speed is 8,250 rpm with power output of 373 kW (507 bhp), up a sensational 79 kW on its predecessor. Maximum torque of 520 Nm at 6,100 rpm is 20 Nm up on the E39 M5. The crucial 0-100 km/h acceleration time is also improved over the 5.0-litre V8 E39 M5. The M5 engine exudes innovation, from the aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder insert to the race-bred bedplate design for impressive bottom-end stiffness. The 90-degree V10 weighs just 240 kg. Drivers will thrill to acceleration and driving dynamics that make the M5 truly outstanding on the road: The 0-100 km/h blast takes 4.7 seconds and the M5 reaches 200 km/h in 15 seconds. This ongoing surge of power continues all the way to an electronically limited 250 km/h. Even under the most extreme conditions, special features such as oil flow with lateral control, enable the engine to handle the centrifugal force of the most extreme bends, acceleration and deceleration without suffering from oil starvation. The engine breathes deeply through ten throttle butterfly valves, and with the Double-VANOS system, it responds eagerly. In the process, it is supported by another world-first technology - engine management electronics with ionic-current knock control, ensuring full control of engine power at all times. This device measures the ionic currents generated by every individual ignition to maintain a perfect state of tune. To feed all this power to the tarmac, the BMW M5 is shod with specially developed 255/40 and 285/35 ZR rated tyres, engineered to cope with substantially higher cornering forces than normal road cars. Together with the variable M Differential Lock and Dynamic Stability Control with two dynamic driving programs available on demand, the chassis and suspension - with Electronic Damper Control (EDC) with three customised programmes - provides a perfect match for this outstanding power. The M Differential Lock is a variable, rev-sensing locking differential on the rear axle, designed to deliver a key traction advantage even in very demanding driving conditions. Unlike other lockable differentials, the locking effect between the left and right wheels can be up to 100 per cent, markedly improving handling and stability while at the same time enhancing safety and driving enjoyment. The seven-speed SMG gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts is the first transmission in the world with seven sequential gears and a Drivelogic function offering no less than 11 gearshift options - six in Sequential mode and five in Drive mode, as well as a launch control function. Gearshifts can now be executed 20 per cent faster than the previous SMG. Ideally, one gearshift takes only about 65 milliseconds. To put this into perspective; it will take a seasoned driver about 0.5 seconds to perform a manual gearshift. These extremely short gearshift times allow a very dynamic and active driving experience. Gears are either changed via the steering wheel paddles or by using the selector lever on the console. If required, SMG Drivelogic can also perform automatic gear changes in Drive mode (D). Not only is this SMG faster but it incorporates several special functions for improved safety and comfort: Wheelslip detection: Stabilises the vehicle in the event of high drag torque on the rear axle, using intelligently controlled clutch operation. This prevents the car from skidding off-course in difficult conditions, for example, during downshifts on slippery surfaces. Hill recognition: For faster gearshifts and adapted shift maps in Drive mode when going uphill or downhill. When going uphill this avoids 'hunting' between gears. Going downhill, the transmission remains in lower gears for longer, to make better use of engine braking. Launch control: Ensures the best possible vehicle acceleration due to the upward adjustment of shift points as well as traction control on non-slippery road surfaces. Further technical highlights include the brake drying feature that skims water from the rotors in wet weather for faster, more efficient stopping, as well as Brake Readiness and Hill Ascent Assistance. Brake Readiness cuts braking response time during full brake application by applying the brake pads to the discs while rapidly restricting the throttle. This function ensures that a pressure of approx. 3 bar is applied for a period of up to 300 ms to the wheel brakes in order to apply the brake pads already before the expected application of the brakes. This function facilitates even more rapid response of the brakes. The function is active as from a speed of 30 km/h. Hill Ascent Assistance is employed when moving off on uphill gradients by briefly maintaining a specific brake pressure in the wheel brakes. This function is active only when the transmission is not in neutral and the handbrake is released. From the outside, the M5 is identified by a modest wind tunnel-tuned aero package that adds a refined, deeper front facia and an addition lower rear valance incorporating a venturi. Stylish side skirts complement the overall package. The new lower bumper valance contains a mesh-covered grille flanked on each side by an ovoid inlet. These have a vital task of feeding twice as much cooling air over the V10 engine compared with that of the 4.4-litre V8 in the 545i. The hot-blooded hard-charging V10 also requires an entirely new cooling system. In addition, the V10 employs four oil pumps to ensure lubrication reaches all moving parts even when cornering forces approach 1g. At each corner, chunky 19-inch M double spoke light alloy wheels complete a visual feast that subtly marks this power machine out from its 5 Series brethren. The stylish alloys also show off the powerful disc brakes - 374 mm x 36 mm at the front and 370 mm x 24 mm at the rear. The now trademark M quad pack of exhaust pipes - each 80 mm in diameter - poke out suggestively below the rear valance and a set of M gills are cut into the front guards like in the M3. Unique design door mirrors were honed to help improve downforce, lower wind noise and improve aerodynamics while a discreet M rear spoiler is also fitted. Inside a very special cabin, the instrument cluster boasts bespoke M style dials with their display needles in traditional M red, while the speedometer and rev counter also gain illuminated rings. The MDrive button on the M leather steering wheel enables a group of settings to be selected together, such as Drivelogic, EDC mode and Head Up Display settings. At the push of a button the M5 can change its characteristics from a supremely comfortable sedan to an extremely dynamic sports car and back again. The special M-designed HUD system, which projects directly on to the windscreen, incorporates a shift light function to prompt drivers to change up, a rev counter display, SMG Drivelogic gear engaged and road speed. Alternatively it can also project information about road speed, navigation symbols and cruise control status. Thanks to the use of M-specific, top-of-the-range materials, the interior conveys a sporty, exclusive ambience which fulfils the most demanding expectations. The M5 will come standard with full 'Merino' leather with Alcantara roof lining. The leather also extends to the drive tunnel, console and lower section of the dashboard with the upper section of the dashboard in black nappa leather. 'Merino' leather will be available in a choice of five colours - Black, Portland natural brown, Sepang bronze light, Silverstone and Indianapolis red. As an alternative, full 'Merino' leather can also be ordered with perforated inserts for Active seat ventilation. The colour range in this instance is three leathers - Black, Silverstone and Sepang bronze light. Buyers also have a choice of two wood trims or a brushed aluminium trim. As befits a sports touring sedan, the heated leather sports seats offer supportive bolstering for the thighs, lower back and shoulders but ensure the vehicle can be enjoyed in every day driving as well as a spirited run through a winding mountain pass. The standard equipment list also includes: ABS with Electronic Braking Force Distribution (EBD), cruise control, power steering cooler, oil quality sensor, multi-function steering wheel, front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC), automatic climate control air conditioning, electric glass sunroof, sunblinds for rear and side rear windows, automatic adaptive Xenon headlights, run flat tyre pressure indicator, rain-sensing wipers, two-stage front airbags complemented by front and rear side airbags and curtain airbags, alarm and immobiliser, on-board monitor, Professional Navigation system with TV tuner and voice recognition, Professional Logic7 13-speaker Hi-Fi system with CD changer. “The new high-performance V10 M5 powers BMW to new heights of engineering excellence,” said John Kananghinis, General Manager, Marketing at BMW Group Australia. “There is nothing like the M5 for hot-blooded exhilaration, race-bred driving dynamics and sumptuous luxury. It is discrete in appearance, yet devastating in performance." “We are certain that devotees of the ultimate in performance sedan driving will flock to the M5. But they had better be quick off the mark as the Australian allocation of M5 Sedans for 2005 is strictly limited and almost all spoken for.” Technical Information
M5 Exclusive Feature Highlights ENGINE - 507 bhp / 373 kW at 7,750 rpm V10 5.0-litre engine TRANSMISSION - 7 Speed SMG transmission CHASSIS - Electronic Damper Control PERFORMANCE - 0-100 km/h 4.7 seconds INTERIOR - Red speedo / rev counter needles EXTERIOR - Subtle yet aerodynamically efficient body kit |