The all-new BMW M5 now available in Singapore

Since 1984, the BMW M5 has been a standard-bearer for fast high-performance sedans preferring not to shout about their sporting potential. The various generations of the BMW M5 have always possessed pure-bred racing genes and acquitted themselves impressively on the race track as well as on the road. The new BMW M5 represents the sixth generation of the super-powered 5 Series. And, like those that have gone before it, the new model promises to continue BMW M GmbH’s record of building distinctive sports cars that really can be used every day.

The all-new BMW M5 sports the latest and most advanced 4.4-litre V8 engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo technology. Modifications made to the cross-bank exhaust manifolds has the effect of optimising the transmission of energy from the exhaust gas flows to the two turbochargers and ensuring the best possible gas-exchange cycle. Its potent output of 600 hp and tremendous peak torque of 750 Nm, figures that were typically used for moving the mammoth BMW X6M, is now channeled into a prolific sedan body style, providing supreme propulsive power and formidable performance. That’s more than the stock Godzilla from Nissan’s stable. The twin-turbo V8 unit provides missile-esque blastations of 0 to 100 km/h within a singular heartbeat of 3.4 seconds. That kind of critical timing makes it perfect for Ethan Hunt, who will drive one in the next Mission:Impossible - Fallout.

The car’s ability to juggle complete suitability for everyday use and ultimate performance boils down to the M xDrive system’s central intelligent control capability. With all-wheel-drive mode (4WD) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), the driver is able to vary its handling characteristics by activating various driving dynamics modes, including a rear-wheel-drive mode with no DSC.

The M engineers have implemented a raft of enhancements from newly developed turbochargers and a higher maximum injection pressure of 350 bar. Compared to tame squirts into the combustion chamber - this is akin to fuel being shot through a pump-action shotgun, allowing for shorter injection times and improved atomisation of the fuel for sharper engine response and higher thermal efficiencies. Improvements have also been made to the lubrication and cooling systems, including an oil pan with a small front sump and indirect charge air cooling, which is more effective than the predecessor’s equivalents despite taking up less space. The oil supply system uses a fully variable, map-controlled pump and has been designed for outings on the race track, where it can handle very high levels of longitudinal and lateral acceleration without oil starvation - a testament to BMW’s commitment to reliability.

Thankfully all that grunt under the hood can be tamed when not needed in an everyday drive. The engine characteristics can be changed at the push of a button from the basic Efficient setting to either Sport or Sport Plus. While the drive mode setting has an effect on the sound from the flap-controlled exhaust system, an additional M Sound Control button also allows drivers to change the exhaust note from incoming Mad Max to a whispering lullaby to avoiding waking up the neighbours.

The all-new BMW X5 is unmatched in terms of driving predictability where most supercars fail to tame the beasts in their engine bays. Enhanced traction, agility and directional stability when the car is being driven in a very sporty manner or on roads with differing levels of grip are made possible by the active control element within the M xDrive system’s scope of functions by varying locking effects – i.e. exactly when it is needed. With M xDrive, stabilising interventions from the DSC system are only required in extreme situations, enabling the engine’s tremendous power to be converted into propulsive force with virtually zero losses. As a result, the all-new BMW M5 can be piloted with even greater precision and directional accuracy, responds sensitively and directly to the driver’s inputs and thus requires few steering corrections when driving at the limit.

More ambitious drivers can configure M xDrive at any time to suit their needs. Even in the default setting with both DSC and 4WD activated, the all-new BMW M5 allows a certain amount of slip at the rear wheels when accelerating out of corners to produce the agility for which M models are renowned. The all-wheel drive’s superior traction helps to produce acceleration times that are simply phenomenal by sports sedan standards and would be worthy of a super-sports car. In case you were wondering, it was built for an autobahn worthy 0 to 200 km/h in just 11.1 seconds.

The ability to “disengage” all systems and go into 2WD mode has been designed with the experienced and highly adept driver in mind (legendary owners who buy a BMW M car over a BMW 5 Series and obviously us journalists). A new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic has also been strictly geared towards sporty performance. Drivelogic mode 1 corresponds to efficient driving. Mode 2 lends itself to quick driving with its shortened shift times. And Drivelogic mode 3 is optimised for sporty driving on the track thanks to its extremely short shift times that will keep even a highly demanding Niki Lauda happy. Those preferring to shift gear manually can also execute sporty multiple downshifts to the lowest available gear, for instance when braking into tight corners. There are no automatic upshifts when the engine is revved to the limit either.

A top priority when tuning the chassis of the all-new BMW M5 was to achieve neutral steering behaviour, even at the dynamic limits. An important factor here is linear build-up of transverse loads across the full range of lateral acceleration. Whatever the driving situation, the electromechanical M Servotronic steering delivers exactly the right amount of steering torque. This ensures superbly accurate steering and top-clarity feedback.

The familiar double-wishbone suspension from the front axle of the BMW 5 series has been reworked from the ground up. Directional stability is greater than ever thanks to the increased track width. The five-link rear suspension has also been modified to meet M-specific requirements. New toe links featuring stiffer rubber mounts help accommodate the increased demands on the driving dynamics and steering precision, as do firmer anti-roll bars and lower wishbones that have been optimised for stiffness.

Specially developed for the all-new BMW M5, the elastomer bearings on the rear axle mounts ensure that there is no delay in transferring chassis forces, which makes for superbly direct handling. An additional steel X-brace and an aluminium transverse strut increase the stiffness of the chassis linkages at the rear axle, resulting in improved response. Further chassis modifications not visible externally perform functions that are no less important. For example, an aluminium tower-to-bulkhead stiffening profile and two tower-to-frontend struts enhance stiffness at the front of the car.

The tyres fitted as standard on the BMW M5 (20-inch seven-double-spoke wheels in Bicolour; front: 275/35 R 20, at rear: 285/35 R 20) have been specially selected. They are mounted on five-double-spoke cast light-alloy wheels in polished Orbit Grey (front: 9.5 J x 19, rear: 10.5 J x 19). All wheels are ZR speed rated, making them suitable for the top speed of 305 km/h achieved by the all-new BMW M5 with M Driver’s Package (standard version: 250 km/h).

The all-new BMW M5 comes with M compound brakes fitted as standard. M carbon-ceramic brakes are also available as an option on the all-new BMW M5. These are instantly recognisable from the gold-coloured callipers with M logo (six-piston fixed callipers at front, single-piston floating callipers at rear) and are 23 kilograms lighter, which means a further reduction in unsprung and rotating masses. This offers many benefits, including improved driving dynamics and increased suspension comfort. The M carbon-ceramic brakes provide even better braking performance than M compound brakes, as well as further improved fade resistance and even higher thermal stability. What is more, they withstand wear exceptionally well.

A newly designed front bumper trim, with its larger air intakes, has the task of keeping the cooling systems and brakes sufficiently supplied with cooling air – even in exacting use on the race track. The car has a wider track than its predecessor, and the front side panels (made from aluminium to save weight) bear the signature M gills.

With an aluminium bonnet, in an M5 first, the roof itself is made from extremely lightweight, high-strength carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

The rear diffuser has likewise been redesigned. Together with the side skirts, the M rear apron and M rear spoiler play their part in giving the M5 its powerfully sporting appearance, and the exterior mirrors have a dynamic, M-specific design. The hexagonal central air intake in the front end not only separates itself sculpturally from the side air intakes, in another example of form following function it also incorporates the oil cooler.

When it comes to the equipment on board the all-new BMW M5, the dynamic driving experience is always king. The centre-point is the driver’s seat, from where all switches and buttons can be operated with optimum ergonomic convenience. All of the car’s functions are sited directly in the driver’s eye line. The large digital instrument cluster from the BMW 5 Series has an M-specific design and keeps the driver informed on the driving dynamic mode, M xDrive all-wheel-drive system’s setting and Drivelogic option currently engaged. Key elements here for the sporty driver are the variable rpm pre-warning field and shift lights that show the best time to change gears when in manual shift mode. This data can also be reflected into the M-specific Head-Up Display.

Virtually all of the driving dynamic systems can be configured using the central touch display, buttons on the centre console or M sports steering wheel, and the central information display offers gesture control. The all-new BMW M5’s engine is stirred into life by pressing the red starter button. Among the essential features for drivers with sporting aspirations are the two red-painted M1 and M2 buttons next to the gearshift paddles on the M multifunction steering wheel, which allow drivers to configure two individual set-ups for the M5. These include their choice of M xDrive, DSC, engine, transmission, damper and steering characteristics, as well as the appearance of M view in the Head-Up Display.

The all-new BMW M5 is trimmed with Merino leather as standard. The driver and front passenger settle into M sports seats with electric adjustment and an embossed M logo in the head restraints. As well as electric adjustment for the seat depth, there is also pneumatic backrest width adjustment to deliver optimum lateral support, which is particularly important when the driver is pushing on. The driver’s seat also has a memory function. The standard M multifunction seats with integral head restraints providing even better support in the shoulder area, an illuminated M5 logo and extended functions. With their racing-style bucket shape and the thicker side bolsters of the seat surface and backrest, the M multifunction seats offer even greater lateral support. For the first time, the all-new BMW M5 is now also available with all the driver assistance systems and features familiar from the new BMW 5 Series.

The all-new BMW M5 can be ordered in a variety of exterior colours, some of which are reserved exclusively for the M5. New additions to the spectrum include Marina Bay Blue Metallic, an intense shade of blue. Matt finishes such as Frozen Dark Silver and Frozen Arctic Grey can be specified as an option. Inside the car, exclusive aluminium applications with a carbon-structure provide a special sporting flourish.

The all-new BMW M5 is now available for viewing at the Performance Munich Autos showroom.

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