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<b>NOT JUST A SCARY FACE:</b> The new BMW M5 is fitted with a twin-turbo V8 which pounds out a shattering 412kW and 680Nm. <a href="http://www.wheels24.co.za/Galleries/Image/BMW/2012 M5" target="_blank"> Picture gallery</a>
After 25 years, the BMW bearing the automaker’s most powerful production engine yet, is ready to hit South Africa. Power and torque are up on the all-new M5 to take the "average sedan" car experience that much closer to the track glory.
Pivotal in this campaign is the most potent engine yet to emerge from BMW’s M division, which makes its debut in the all-new M5.
Featuring its first turbocharged unit, the M5’s high-revving 4.4-litre V8 generates 412kW/680Nm from 1500rpm via twin-scroll turbos using BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology, direct fuel injection and Valvetronic variable valve control. The arrangement is kept compact by the 90-degree V8 leaving space to house two turbochargers (with maximum boost of 1.5 bar) and catalytic converters within the V.
BYE-BYE V10
Those sad to see the departure of the previous V10 will be heartened by the increase in output and its supercar-like 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4sec. Top speed has been electronically limited to 250km/h.
This engine is mated to a seven-speed M double-clutch Drivelogic transmission, this time with a Comfort driving setting (although we doubt it will be called into action too often…). More than that, the transmission has three driving programmes with manual and automated shift options plus a very useful low-speed assistance function to smooth travelling through heavy traffic.
Thanks to BMW’s standard Efficient Dynamics technology incorporating auto start and stop and brake energy regeneration to aid a reduction in fuel consumption by more than 30%, BMW claims, and CO2 emissions down to 232g/km. Sport or Sport Plus modes will do much to undo all that hard tech tinkering, though.
The rear-wheel drive M5 uses track-bred chassis technology and a new Active M differential – an electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential – to keep the car facing the right way at all times.
The limited slip diff intervenes to control wheelspin and is linked to the DSC system to calculate the locking force needed – between 0 and 100% - taking elements such as the position of the accelerator, rotational wheel speed and the car’s yaw rate into consideration.
HEART-IN-THROAT MOMENTS
As a further safety net, the DSC system is linked to ABS, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, brake assistant with brake fade compensation and a very useful brake drying function. However, punching the DSC button can engage the M Dynamic Mode that softens the system’s intervention or turns them off completely.
The new M5 uses a bespoke M-specific suspension with axle kinematics tuned through kilometres of testing at the tricky Nürburgring.
Electronically controlled dampers allow drivers to choose from three settings – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus – for various driving conditions, while the same extends to the M-tuned Servotronic power assisted steering.
It goes without saying that something as powerful and agile as the M5 should also be able to stop like an M5, which explains the presence of six-piston calipers with BMW’s fade resistant compound mounted within the imposing 19” M light alloys. Forged 20” wheels are optional.
ONE PART LUXURY SEDAN, ONE PART MAD MACHINE
As for its appearance, the M5 looks the part with a host of M-specific design and aerodynamic details including the three air intakes in the front intake to help cool the twin-turbo V8 engine and standard bi-xenon light clusters with LED accents.
Its cabin is said to be a mix of luxury sedan and bona fide sports car, with its M Sports seats, metal interior trim strips and BMW’s latest iDrive control system with a 10.2-inch display. The driver is treated to an instrument cluster with classic M circular dials with red needles on white illumination.
Multifunction buttons on the steering wheel now also includes two M Drive buttons by which to summon different car settings. Further proof of the M5’s personalisation options is the driver’s ability to adjust engine management settings, power steering, the transmission’s gearshift programme, DSC mode and the car’s Dynamic Damper Control settings.
The all-new BMW M5 sedan will be launched in South Africa in 2012.
Pivotal in this campaign is the most potent engine yet to emerge from BMW’s M division, which makes its debut in the all-new M5.
Featuring its first turbocharged unit, the M5’s high-revving 4.4-litre V8 generates 412kW/680Nm from 1500rpm via twin-scroll turbos using BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology, direct fuel injection and Valvetronic variable valve control. The arrangement is kept compact by the 90-degree V8 leaving space to house two turbochargers (with maximum boost of 1.5 bar) and catalytic converters within the V.
BYE-BYE V10
Those sad to see the departure of the previous V10 will be heartened by the increase in output and its supercar-like 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4sec. Top speed has been electronically limited to 250km/h.
M DCT BLISS: The new M5 loses the cumbersome SMG transmission for a sleek M double-clutch arrangement.
Thanks to BMW’s standard Efficient Dynamics technology incorporating auto start and stop and brake energy regeneration to aid a reduction in fuel consumption by more than 30%, BMW claims, and CO2 emissions down to 232g/km. Sport or Sport Plus modes will do much to undo all that hard tech tinkering, though.
The rear-wheel drive M5 uses track-bred chassis technology and a new Active M differential – an electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential – to keep the car facing the right way at all times.
The limited slip diff intervenes to control wheelspin and is linked to the DSC system to calculate the locking force needed – between 0 and 100% - taking elements such as the position of the accelerator, rotational wheel speed and the car’s yaw rate into consideration.
HEART-IN-THROAT MOMENTS
As a further safety net, the DSC system is linked to ABS, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, brake assistant with brake fade compensation and a very useful brake drying function. However, punching the DSC button can engage the M Dynamic Mode that softens the system’s intervention or turns them off completely.
The new M5 uses a bespoke M-specific suspension with axle kinematics tuned through kilometres of testing at the tricky Nürburgring.
CLEAR INTENTIONS: With flared wheel arches, fierce 19" wheels and two pairs of tailpipes, this M5 is all business.
It goes without saying that something as powerful and agile as the M5 should also be able to stop like an M5, which explains the presence of six-piston calipers with BMW’s fade resistant compound mounted within the imposing 19” M light alloys. Forged 20” wheels are optional.
ONE PART LUXURY SEDAN, ONE PART MAD MACHINE
As for its appearance, the M5 looks the part with a host of M-specific design and aerodynamic details including the three air intakes in the front intake to help cool the twin-turbo V8 engine and standard bi-xenon light clusters with LED accents.
Its cabin is said to be a mix of luxury sedan and bona fide sports car, with its M Sports seats, metal interior trim strips and BMW’s latest iDrive control system with a 10.2-inch display. The driver is treated to an instrument cluster with classic M circular dials with red needles on white illumination.
Multifunction buttons on the steering wheel now also includes two M Drive buttons by which to summon different car settings. Further proof of the M5’s personalisation options is the driver’s ability to adjust engine management settings, power steering, the transmission’s gearshift programme, DSC mode and the car’s Dynamic Damper Control settings.
The all-new BMW M5 sedan will be launched in South Africa in 2012.
