THE BOARD ROOM RACER
With looks that kill and pe ormance that thrill, the BMW M5 is all business to reclaim its righ ully title as the ultimate super saloon
OUR FIRST BRUSH with the BMW M5 happened several years ago on the Sepang International Track. Although given the opportunity to drive one of the world’s most powerful sedans, the experience was a daunting one; compounded by the fact the model was a left hand drive import. The shift of perspective plus the sheer power of the car basically resulted in a test drive that was pretty daunting.
The M5 was a brute in every sense and it was a car that massively tested our resolve behind the wheel. It was fun no doubt but it was a fight at every corner and turn. In a nutshell, the M5 was too much car for our own good. Between handling the M3 and its larger more powerful brother, we decided the tamer of the two was a more practical option.
So after several years you can imagine our apprehension when we’re invited to test the new BMW M5 once again at the Sepang International Circuit. As our first tango with the super saloon didn’t go as well as planned the first time around, we weren’t exactly looking forward to getting strapped into the beast once again. Fortunately as soon as we slipped it into gear, the new M5 immediately changed our minds.
Street Cred In A High Powered Suit
BMW designers had it easy building on the canvas of an already good looking model. The 5 Series is already quite a looker but when you add certain enhancements to the exterior of the vehicle along with the 20” M Double- Spoke style 706M light alloy wheels, then you’ll immediately recognise that the new M5 is a different breed of animal.
The newly developed front bumper trim with larger air intakes not only helps the car get a more menacing look but they also work to keep the cooling systems and brakes sufficiently supplied with cooling air, especially when it’s been run hard.
Designers have also shed weight of the car with the addition of an aluminium roof and a lighter, high-strength carbon-fibre roof. At the back, the rear diffuser has been redesigned and there’s ample ‘M’ branding all around to signify this model’s sporty pedigree.
Racing Cockpit
The M5 is a driver’s car first and foremost and that is reflected in the cabin. The cockpit features M multifunction bucket seats trimmed with Merino leather with customisable upholstery options offered in a two-tone combination of Aragon / Black. The driver focused dashboard has been designed with functions in the direct line of sight of the pilot with all switches and buttons within easy reach.
Although it is performance driven, the new M5 is not without its creature comforts. The model is equipped with features such as BMW Navigation Professional 10.25” with Touch Display capability, BMW Head-Up Display with M-Specific Content as well as the full suite of BMW Driver Assistance systems as part of the BMW CONNECTEDDRIVE features.
For sporty drivers, the variable rpm prewarning field is heaven sent with shift lights that show the best time to change gears when in manual shift mode. The gear changes can also be reflected on the M-specific Head-Up Display for better convenience. A big plus for the new M5 is that virtually all the driving dynamic systems can be configured using the central touch display.
Built To Run
Despite the impressive cosmetic enhancements of the vehicle and its modern interior, drivers really warm up to an M badged vehicle for the way it drives. And it has to be said this is where BMW engineers have outdone themselves.
Armed with a 4.4-litre V8 engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo Technology and an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the new M5 delivers sublime drive power and supreme shift comfort. Power has been improved but with added refinement for greater control and confidence.
The new M5 delivers an exceptional output of 600hp at 5,600 ‒ 6,700 rpm, with peak torque of 750 Nm available on tap from just 1,800 rpm to 5,600 rpm. This translates to a century sprint that’s clocked in 3.4 seconds and top end that will be too challenging for most drivers.
Fortunately the new M5 offers five different configurations based on combinations of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD). So drivers can easily select their most comfortable drive setting. They can also change the engine characteristics with the push of a button from the default Efficient setting to either Sport or Sport Plus.
BRED FOR THE TRACK
Although the new M5 does deliver the best of both worlds in terms of flexibility in being a daily driver as well as performance machine, this model is truly suited for the latter. After all you’d expect nothing less from a chassis that was fined tuned at both the Miramas Circuit in France and the N rburgring Nordschleife, the world’s toughest test track.
The result of this is a vehicle that delivers unbeatable driving dynamics with maximum directional stability. Combine this with its incomparable power delivery and you have a model that will continuously push the capabilities of any driver. We found that out first hand when we reacquainted ourselves with the new M5 in three entertaining laps around the Sepang Circuit.
Unlike its predecessor, the run was composed and refined but with enough speed and power that injected an element of fun. The new M5 has grown up and it’s more entertaining than ever and despite only getting a handful of laps to get to know the car better, we were sold on the fact that the new BMW M5 is undoubtedly a formidable evolution of the super saloon. Its competitors should take notes because they’ll need to go back to the drawing board just to compete with this new M5. AM