Automotive

BMW unveils more powerful yet more fuel efficient fifth generation M5

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The fifth generation of BMW's M5 high performance saloon
The fifth generation of BMW's M5 high performance saloon
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Following the appearance of the Concept M5 in April, BMW has released details of the new M5 that is expected to go on sale later this year. The fifth generation of BMW's flagship high-performance saloon will be the first vehicle to feature the newly developed BMW M V8 engine that propels the car from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 13 seconds, before topping out at 250 km/h (155 mph) or 305 km/h (190 mph) with the optional M Driver's Package. But alongside the impressive performance stats, BMW is also touting the improved fuel efficiency of the new M5.

The new M5's M division-developed twin-turbocharged, 4.4 liter V8 develops 412 kW/560 hp at 6,000-7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) from 1,500 rpm. Although BMW says the engine output is 10 percent up on the previous model M5 and the maximum torque has increased by 30 percent, the new M5 manages to cut fuel consumption by more than 30 percent over the previous M5, coming in at a combined figure of 9.9 liters/100 km (28.5 mpg), thanks to the inclusion of systems such as Auto Start-Stop and Brake Energy Regeneration.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed M double clutch Drivelogic transmission controlled via shift paddles on the M leather steering wheel. BMW claims the M5 boasts outstanding agility thanks to a rear axle Active M Differential sporting an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential that enables fully variable distribution between the rear wheels to optimize traction and stability for dynamic lane changing and accelerating out of corners. The electronically controlled dampers offer three settings: Comfort for everyday road use, Sport for more dynamic driving, and Sport Plus for taking the car to the track.

The steering wheel features new M Drive buttons that can call up two individually configured car set-ups covering a range of programmable parameters including accelerator responses, M Servotronic responses, Drivelogic shift program, DSC mode, Dynamic Damper Control and information displayed in the HUD.

The new M5's body design is instantly recognizable as a member of the M5 family and sees the inclusion of large intakes for the engine and brakes on the front apron, flared wheel arches, M "gills" with integrated indicator bars, aerodynamic rear apron with diffuser between the right and left-hand pair of twin exhaust tailpipes, gurney-style rear spoiler on the boot lid and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels with a double-spoke design.

BMW says the M5's interior is designed to combine a sports car cockpit with the luxury M5 drivers have come to expect. The M-specific instrument cluster is housed in a newly designed, leather-covered center console, while the standard spec M sports seats feature Merino leather upholstery. There's also exclusive Aluminum Trace interior trim strips, Anthracite roof liner and four-zone automatic climate control and ambient light.

Driver assistance systems include BMW ConnectedDrive, M-speciific HUD as standard, adaptive headlights, High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, lane change warning system, lane departure warning system and speed limit info.

BMW is expected to give the new M5 its official public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, ahead of a release before the end of the year.

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9 comments
teeduke
I enjoy speed as much as the next piston head, but c\'mon. We\'re all adults here. Isn\'t it just a little silly to brag about fuel efficiency in a 560 hp vehicle?

James Ng
I would be impressed more with BMW if they produce a 100mpg engine that achieve the current speed limit of 75mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5sec. Jamming a 4.0l V8, 500hp gas sucking, carbondioxide polluting engine to get the 190mph speed is not an achievement to brag about. BMW forget that Green is in these days.
Calson
No different than Ford and Chevy which in recent years bragged about getting more horsepower with \"no loss in fuel economy\" and the word economy has multiple meanings in the current environment. In 2001 when I bought a new car I set a minimum MPG of 28 hwy (wanted something that provided substantially better mileage than my 17mpg highway full size SUV). That took the 18mpg 530i off the list and of course the 12mpg 750 series BMW as well.
There should be at the very least a stiff tax for the environmentally retarded people who buy this type of gas guzzler. At least in Germany people have the option of taking trains for the bulk of their travel and then blasting around on the autobahns on a Sunday afternoon.
mrhuckfin
Ummmm? What am I missing here guys? 28.5 MPG isn\'t good mileage to you? I would die and go to heaven for that kind of fuel economy! I just rented a 505 H.P. Corvette with a 6 speed and took it on a road trip and got 31 MPG out of it at 80 MPH! So if BWM is admitting to 28.5 you KNOW it will do better then that for a lot of people! OH and who made you guys the HP police? If you earned your way to have a car like this your already paying a \"stiff tax\" as it is? The world will not come undone for cars like these and green is SOOOOO not in! Ever heard of green backlash? I wont buy anything if I can avoid it that lays claim to \"GREEN.\" You will more then likely never see a 100 MPG car and if you do it wouldn\'t be anything anybody would be caught dead in and the fact that a car has 560 HP and gets nearly 30 MPG is HIGH praise indeed, no one will force you to own or buy this car and for the few who can more power to them.
Michael Gene
I beg to differ mrhuckfin, I do believe anyone in a car that gets 100mpg will get caught dead in it after the very first fender bender.
Scion
I agree with mrhuckfin, 560hp at 9.9L/100km is good fuel economy. Compare that to my current car, a 2004 family sedan which gets 10.1l/100km with just 200hp and I think you\'ll agree the BMW is at least respectable. Of course you could get a 1.4L Diesel and achieve 5L/100km, but then you probably wouldn\'t have a family sized sedan that you can also hit the track with. That\'s what they are saying, have a sports car and not guzzle fuel.
The M5 is what is known as an \"aspiration\" model. A car that few people will have, but shows what technology is available with a touch of wow and / or glamour. BMW also produces the 118 diesel which uses very little fuel. gee.
Bill Bennett
specs aside, in terms of aesthetics the front of that car is beyond fugly
yawood
You don\'t have to drive a small 1.4L sedan to get 5L/100km. I have a 2007 BMW 520d (2 litre diesel) and get 5.5L/100km (43 US mpg) on a trip and 8L/100km (29 US mpg) around town. They are real world figures in real world driving.
christopher
Plants have been sucking CO2 and polluting our planet with oxygen for billions of years, to the point of almost asphyxiating themselves, and you guys don\'t think we should save them and put back what their ancestors removed?

Green isn\'t a movement - it\'s trading scam engineered to take simultaneous advantage of all mankinds major gullibilities.

MPG is important to drivers ego and wallets at the pump, not their nostrils.