• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

BMW Releases Its Long Anticipated M5 with a 507-HP V10

New V10 Learns Performance Tricks from BMWs F1 Experience

BMW teased well-heeled enthusiasts earlier this year in Geneva with the introduction of its M5 Concept (see Concept Car section of this website: 2004 BMW M5 Concept), and as predicted the production cars lines wont deviate from the prototype. Even the wheels look identical, which makes a person wonder why the Bavarian automaker didnt just introduce the "concept" as a production car in the first place.

It must have been due to what lies under the skin, and by all accounts the potent mechanicals have made the wait worth every nail-biting moment. Nothing less than a 507 horsepower

BMW has finally made the new M5 official, and unsurprisingly its identical to the "concept" unveiled earlier this year at Geneva. (Photo: BMW of North America)

V10 resides under the hood, spinning to a stratospheric 8,250 rpm at redline.

Zero to 60 mph sprints take less than five seconds while 125 mph arrives after a mere 15 seconds at full throttle. The M5 gets an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. If maximum speed was not electronically limited the

A 507 horsepower V10 powers the M5 from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds. (Photo: BMW of North America)

M5 could reach 205 mph, or so BMW reports.

Putting power to the rear wheels is a new 7-speed SMG sequential manual gearbox with steering column mounted paddle actuation. As in the M3, gears can be selected via a console-mounted shift lever too, but in comparison to the outgoing SMG transmission the new version shifts 20 percent quicker. The SMG gearbox continues to use Drivelogic, but like the transmission itself the electronic add-on is completely upgraded from five

When equipped with BMWs dynamic drive and optional active steering the regular 5-Series is arguably the most agile sedan currently available. The M5 will no doubt be even better. (Photo: BMW of North America)

specified shift intervals (from slow to fast) to eleven, allowing much more adaptation to a drivers personal preferences.

The 5-Series, when equipped with BMWs optional active steering, that along with dynamic drive (active roll stabilization - ARS) offers amazing maneuverability at all speeds, is arguably the most agile sedan currently available. Essentially active steering adapts the steering ratio to vehicle speed, but its electric motor assisted, planetary gear motivated rack-and-pinion system is much

The 5-Series ride is not only smoother than competitors sport sedans, but its handling is also much better. The M5 kicks it up a major notch. (Photo: BMW of North America)

more sophisticated than conventional speed sensitive steering systems, common to luxury cars of all stripes. When parking, steering response to input is much quicker, at about 1.7 turns lock to lock. At high speed that ratio loosens up dramatically so that just touching the steering wheel doesnt send the car veering off into oncoming traffic.

Dynamic drive effectually flattens out curves, adjusting to road surface imperfections before the actual bumps and dips occur. The 5-Series ride is not only smoother than competitors sport sedans, but its handling is also much better.

The M5 takes advantage of such electro-mechanical driving aids,

The M5 will be equipped with a unique interior, available in three new colors and featuring a new gauge package and optional "M-specific" fighter pilot style head-up display (HUD) system. (Photo: BMW of North America)

but each, like the reworked suspension, has been modified for the specialized sedans higher performance. New brakes have been added as well, featuring twin-piston aluminum sliding calipers resulting in 60 mph to standstill in only 117 feet.

The M5 also incorporates DSC III with "two selectable driving dynamics programs, Electronic Damper Control with comfort, normal and sport modes, and a variable, torque-sensing differential lock," according to BMWs press information.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo