The latest litter from the Munich power limousine series packs 600PS under the hood and accelerates to 3.4km / h in 100 seconds.
It can be seen live at the IAA in September for the first time, BMW presented it at Gamescom this week. Based on the current G30 generation of the 5-series sedan, the internally called F90 M5 marks the sixth evolution of the M5 label.
Whaaat? All wheel drive?
But for the first time in its 30-year history, the new BMW M5 is no longer just powered by the rear wheels. With the M xDrive, the Munich-based company is installing a sporty all-wheel drive that should take into account the increased performance - but above all the competition.
With 600PS and 750Nm torque, the current version of the S63 engine is more powerful than ever. Revised turbochargers with optimized exhaust gas routing in manifolds and silencers work in combination with more efficient charge air cooling and a new direct injection with now 350bar fuel pressure.
In terms of performance, very modest?
Equipped in this way, the 4.4 liter V8 engine balances the power limousine from 3.4 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds, which is an impressive improvement of 0,9 seconds compared to its predecessor. The sprint to 200km / h is even more interesting. Here the new M5 notes with 11.1 seconds, which lifts it to eye level with the Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic +, which has at least 100 additional Newton meters and 12 more horsepower.
This is made possible by the weight of the fastest BMW. An empty weight of 1855kg is 100 kg less than the Stuttgart competitor and even 10 kg less than the purely rear-wheel drive M5 predecessor. The generous use of aluminum on the chassis, fenders and front end is just as responsible for this as the roof skin made of carbon fiber. If you order the ceramic brake system, you save an additional 23 kilograms.
The completely new drivetrain of the BMW M5 is also responsible for the strong sprint performance. In principle, the BMW M xDrive works like the brand's well-known all-wheel drives, but of course its torque distribution is adapted to the M environment. In general, the torque distribution is fully variable, so the M5 is almost without exception operating as a rear-wheel drive in normal operation, the proportion of torque to the front axle is calculated purely from the driving dynamics programs and, depending on the sharpness of the modes, allocated sooner or later accordingly.
“4WD” is the name of the standard mode here, “4WD Sport” retains the front axle somewhat more and allows larger slip angles. The driver can only select "2WD" if he switches off ASC and DSC and manages the 600PS solely with his inputs on the pedals and steering wheel, without any electronic safety net.
During the presentation, M boss Frank van Meel promises that this is not necessary: "The driving precision and driving dynamics of the new BMW M5 are better than that of all its predecessors." Traction and driving stability cannot be achieved with a two-wheel drive.
Visually, the M5 doesn't set itself apart from its brothers. The front with large ventilation openings is known to the family, as are the vents on the fenders, the tear-off edge at the rear and the suggested diffuser around the four tailpipes. The carbon roof is now also well known from the other M series. Compared to the AMG-Mercedes and RS-Audis, the strongest BMW is somewhat reserved here. No exhibited wheel arches, no special camber on the wheels, the 600PS are really packed reluctantly. In addition, the acoustic presence can now be reduced at the push of a button. Quiet instead of loud as a new form of restraint?
We will find out whether it is enough for the new, delicate M5 against the strong competition in November at the latest when we can drive it for the first time. Sometimes interested parties can dig through the price list, where the M5 is listed with a base price of EUR 117.900t.