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Cologne - BMW has officially released power output and sprint times for its new all-wheel drive M5 due in South Africa early in 2018.
The all-wheel-drive system works in conjunction with a central transfer case (with multi-plate clutch) and distributes drive variably between the front and rear axle, as required.
BMW says its F90 model is a high-performance car for "every condition" fitted with its Active M Differential.
Tops out at 305km/h
A specially tuned eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic allows the adjustment of the transmission’s characteristics to their personal preferences.
Now for those power outputs... the M5 uses a 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo engine, developing 441kW/750Nm.
BMW claim the M5 rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 11.1 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, is an electronically limited 250km/h, but the optional M Driver’s Package elevates it to 305km/h.
As reported before, there are five different configurations to choose from based on combinations of the DSC modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD).
In the basic setting with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) activated and 4WD, the system permits slight slip through the rear wheels when accelerating out of corners – and therefore plays its part in giving the new M5 its sporting agility. In M Dynamic mode (MDM, 4WD Sport) M xDrive allows easily controlled drifts.
The three M xDrive modes with DSC switched off have been conceived to sate the appetites of keen drivers and primarily for use on the track. Here, the driver can choose from three configurations up to and including pure rear-wheel drive (2WD).
M-specific
The driver can also choose from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes for the Variable Damper Control (VDC) system – which has M-specific tuning – and the M Servotronic steering. And the engine’s characteristics can also be configured to the driver’s tastes via the Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus modes.
The two M1 and M2 buttons on the M leather steering wheel can be used to store two set-ups combining the driver’s preference of engine, transmission, suspension and M xDrive modes, the DSC mode and Head-Up-Display settings. The driver can then activate their preferred set-up by pressing the relevant button.
Watch: Go underneath the skin oF the new M5
The bonnet, which also has an M-specific design, is made from aluminium and boasts eye-catching sculpture lines. These extend into the extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof – a standard feature of the new M5. The weight savings contributed by the CFRP roof and other components such as the exhaust system help to ensure the new car with M xDrive all-wheel drive is lighter than its predecessor.
The M5 is fitted as standard with M compound brakes, which are lighter than conventional grey cast iron items and therefore also bring down the car’s weight. With blue-painted six-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear, plus perforated, inner-vented brake discs all round.
The optional M carbon ceramic brakes, which can be identified by callipers painted in a gold colour and shave another 23kgs off the M5’s weight.
Local pricing and specifications will be available before the end of 2017.
First Edition
Scheduled for launch on the same sales start date as the standard M5 is the BMW M5 First Edition. This special-edition version – limited to a run of 400 examples worldwide – has BMW Individual Frozen Dark Red Metallic paintwork. The BMW M5 First Editon will also be available in South Africa in very limited numbers.
