Over 100bhp per litre for the fourth generation super saloon
BMW Great Britain has announced first details of the forthcoming BMW M5. Faithfully resembling the Concept M5 revealed at the Geneva Motorshow in March 2004, the fourth generation of ‘businessman’s express’ will be the most powerful BMW road car ever built, generating 507bhp and surpassing the magical 100bhp per litre mark.
Translating BMW’s Formula 1 experience directly into a road car, the new BMW M5 is powered by a normally aspirated five-litre V10 engine – a first for BMW – with the two five-cylinder banks arranged at a 90-degree angle. Redlined at 8,250rpm, the 507bhp and 520Nm of torque propels the car from zero to 62mph in 4.7seconds and to 124mph in 15 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Without the limiter, the new M5 would be capable of an awe-inspiring 205mph. These levels of performance, when combined with the lightweight aluminium chassis and body panels from the 5 Series, ensure the new M5 can lap the infamous ‘Nordschleife’ at the Nürburgring in approximately eight minutes – a time rarely achieved even by high performance sports cars.

The new BMW M5 produces over 25 per cent more power than the outgoing M5 that itself set the benchmark as the ultimate sports saloon. This is made possible, in part, by the bi-VANOS variable valve timing and individual throttle butterflies fitted to the new car. Ensuring an optimum charge from every combustion cycle these features increase performance, flexibility and responsiveness, offer inspired fuel consumption and emissions figures and ensure the car exceeds EU4 standards.

Power is transmitted through the world’s first production car seven-speed sequential gearbox with Drivelogic, changing gears 20 per cent faster than the previous generation SMG transmission. The gearbox offers eleven different change patterns, six of which allow the drive to vary the speed and response of gear change in the manual selection mode and five in the automatic mode. The sixth pattern in manual is reserved for the Launch Control function, giving the driver the fastest possible acceleration from standstill.

The new M5 also features a new DSC traction control system specifically developed for the car. Offering three settings, the default mode offers drivers the high levels of performance and stability you would expect of a car wearing the ‘M’ badge. But by pressing the DSC button once the car reverts to M Dynamic Mode to allow an enthusiastic driver the ability to push the M5 to the absolute limits of traction, even permitting some sideslip and countersteering. If the DSC button is pressed again and held down DSC is completely disengaged.

Assisting further with performance the BMW M5 also comes with an MDrive button on the steering wheel, offering a one-touch function that changes the settings on the car to an enhanced sporting character. This set-up is formatted via iDrive with the owner choosing the preferred SMG, Electronic Damper Control and DSC modes and, if specified, the rate of support the Active Seat Control side bolsters offer. Once programmed, the driver just presses the MDrive button on the steering wheel to transform the character of the M5.

The function of the standard fit Head-up Display is also altered when the MDrive button is activated. The default setting sees speed, navigation instructions, check control messages and cruise control settings projected onto the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight. However, if MDrive is activated the display changes to a rev counter including vehicle speed that both flash at the driver when the next gear needs to be selected.

While the chassis, suspension and steering of the M5 are based on the design of the 5 Series, almost all components are new. The M5 also features a variable M differential lock that offers a high level of driving stability and traction, especially when accelerating out of high-speed corners. Stopping power in the M5 is also enhanced courtesy of a high performance braking system with cross-drilled ventilated discs and twin-piston callipers. This braking system, in combination with the lightweight materials incorporated in the 1,755kgs car, ensures that the M5 decelerates from 62mph to zero in just 36 metres or 124mph to zero is reached in 140 metres.

Visually, the new M5 takes the distinctive looks of the 5 Series to another level, with modified front and rear aprons and side sills. For the first time on an M5, the front wings now incorporate an air duct, which helps keep the engine bay cool during operation, and a new door mirror design. Wider wheelarches house the exclusive 19-inch M5 wheel design while BMW M’s signature four tailpipes alert drivers behind to the potential of the car in front.

The BMW M5 will be launched in Europe in January 2005, while deliveries of right-hand-drive models in the UK start in spring 2005.

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
LONG LIVE THE E39!!! Sorry but it looks like an ugly chick that got plastic surgery to look better. It looks better but stil uhhhh. Kia like.
No denying the performance though. Nice, bright interior.

Originally posted by LexusChris
In my opinion looks good to me but something about the E55 that makes me like it so much more.

Originally posted by xmystikx
dear lord, it looks beastly. oh well, can't compare to the LS500 or GS500 lexus coming out with

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
LONG LIVE THE E39!!! Sorry but it looks like an ugly chick that got plastic surgery to look better. It looks better but stil uhhhh. Kia like.
No denying the performance though. Nice, bright interior.

Originally posted by MagusFuria
I still think the new 5series/M5 has a "Subaru-ish" rear end, and a blah front end. Over all, i agree with 1Sick. I think every BMW of the previous generation looks much better than the current ones.