BMW M5
M is the most powerful
letter in the alphabet
By Butch Chiu
“M” stands for Motorsport. And there’s no question that the M5 has racing in its blood. The engine roars. The car spits fire. The word rush becomes an understatement. What a job, I get to beat on another exotic car…
The BMW M5 has always been the one of the best performing sedans on the road. Ferrari-like handling and acceleration with four doors and a full sized back seat? Who can resist? This year, BMW introduces an all-new and long awaited M5, with an improved 7-speed SMG transmission and an additional two cylinders, helping this beast produce 500 horses, not to mention performance that’s on par with anything out there on the road today.
The first high-revving V-10 engine to be dropped into a production sedan
The M5 is here to make an impact on the sports sedan market with its new V-10 engine. The only other car I know of that’s got a V-10 motor is the Dodge Viper. With its 505 horsepower and 535 ft-lbs of torque, the Viper can devour pretty much any stock sports car on the street (except for the new Z06, but that’s another story). Now that BMW has dropped a V-10 into the M5, Viper owners are no longer the only ones on the street with 10 cylinders. This M5 engine was engineered to rev to a redline of 8,250 rpm, and with 25 percent more power than the previous M5’s V-8, this new engine offers 100 horsepower per liter of displacement, pure racecar territory. The 90° V-10 is designed for maximum stiffness and minimum vibration. With 100 more horses than the previous M5, BMW has really pushed the envelope compared to the other manufacturers in this class (Mercedes E55, Audi’s RS6 and Cadillac’s STS-V). The competition in this market is fierce. Mercedes, Audi and Cadillac please take notice; BMW has built one of the most powerful normally aspirated engines in the world.
The seven-speed SMG transmission features DriveLogic
New to the M5 is the new SMG 7-speed transmission. This is the first 7-speed manual transmission on the market, and according to BMW, shifts 20% faster than the previous SMG. This is one of the features that I’m eager to experience on our test drive. Also new in the M5 is DriveLogic, BMW’s transmission customization feature. DriveLogic gives the driver eleven program options, enabling the transmission to be tailored to any driving situation, making the experience an even more memorable one.
Other features
For the first time ever in a BMW M model, the M5 features Electronic Damping Control (EDC), allowing you to choose the kind of ride you want, Comfort, Normal, or Sport. The M5 also features M Variable Differential Lock for enhanced traction and handling. The front and rear suspension is specially modified to focus on performance.
Also available for you gadget-loving Star Trek fans is an available Heads-up display (see the picture below), which projects your M5’s vitals right onto the windshield in front of you. “Sorry officer, I didn’t know how fast I was going,” just isn’t a viable excuse any more.
The Drive
The feel of the M5 is classic BMW: great supportive seats, thick grip steering wheel, solid build quality, and perfect fit and finish. I don’t usually drive a 4-door, but this ain’t your typical sedan. Upon turning the key, the V-10 fired right up with a smooth sound. Maybe a little too smooth, but it’s a BMW; the cars they build are totally refined. When I hit the road, I punched the throttle, which immediately spun the tires, power sliding the car sideways. The SMG transmission did not disappoint, with its accurate and lightning quick shifts.
Step on the gas pedal and the M5 unleashes its 500 horses and 383 lb-ft of torque, enabling you to power out of any situation you might encounter on the street. With this kind of power, getting up to 120 mph is quick and effortless. We blasted down the highway with absolutely no fear. This car sounds awesome under full throttle and pulled like there was no tomorrow. This was a radical and exciting driving experience, a must for anyone who can afford it. We cruised for about 60 miles and ran into a couple of sports cars along the way, however no one quite worthy enough to challenge this Bimmer. We also came across an EVO, which unfortunately didn’t put up much of a challenge. I truly love the feel that BMW has put into their “M” series of cars.
Styling too conservative
In the tradition of BMW M, the exterior styling of the new M5 follows the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” philosophy. At first glance, the M5 looks like every other 5-Series BMW. BMW has always had a more conservative styling department. I was expecting a lower stance, more spoilers, flared fenders and larger wheels, like a set of 20’s with a deep dish. What is nice, though, is the M signature: four large exhaust tips protruding from the back of the car. All in all, this is a great sleeper car; it won’t attract a lot of attention, but anyone who does decide to race you will get crushed.
The M badges set you apart; just owning an “M” car puts you into the elite group of “M ”owners. When driving a car like this, you really feel the “M” mystique, all the history of BMW Motorsport Racing, similar to what AMG is to Mercedes.
Overall, this is the best car BMW has put on the street. They have a formula that has been blended well; the perfect fit between modern engineering, luxury and refinement, and ultimate performance. It’s really a car that must be experienced to truly be appreciated.
So what’s the downside? As with any ultimate driving machine, you’ll pay a higher price for higher quality, and since this M5 is the ultimate-est of the ultimate, just the base price will set you back $82,000, definitely not chump change. But, for a car that can blow away nearly anything else on the road while carrying five full-sized adults? $82 grand almost seems like a bargain.
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