The new BMW M5 - over 100bhp per litre for the fourth generation super saloon

BMW Great Britain has announced first details of the forthcoming BMW M5.
Faithfully resembling the Concept M5 revealed at the Geneva Motorshow in March
2004, the fourth generation of 'businessman's express' will be the most
powerful BMW road car ever built, generating 507bhp and surpassing the magical
100bhp per litre mark.

Translating BMW's Formula 1 experience directly into a road car, the new BMW M5
is powered by a normally aspirated five-litre V10 engine - a first for BMW -
with the two five-cylinder banks arranged at a 90-degree angle. Redlined at
8,250rpm, the 507bhp and 520Nm of torque propels the car from zero to 62mph in
4.7seconds and to 124mph in 15 seconds before reaching an electronically
limited top speed of 155mph. Without the limiter, the new M5 would be capable
of an awe-inspiring 205mph. These levels of performance, when combined with
the lightweight aluminium chassis and body panels from the 5 Series, ensure the
new M5 can lap the infamous 'Nordschleife' at the Nürburgring in approximately
eight minutes - a time rarely achieved even by high performance sports cars.

The new BMW M5 produces over 25 per cent more power than the outgoing M5 that
itself set the benchmark as the ultimate sports saloon. This is made possible,
in part, by the bi-VANOS variable valve timing and individual throttle
butterflies fitted to the new car. Ensuring an optimum charge from every
combustion cycle these features increase performance, flexibility and
responsiveness, offer inspired fuel consumption and emissions figures and
ensure the car exceeds EU4 standards.

Power is transmitted through the world's first production car seven-speed
sequential gearbox with Drivelogic, changing gears 20 per cent faster than the
previous generation SMG transmission. The gearbox offers eleven different
change patterns, six of which allow the drive to vary the speed and response of
gear change in the manual selection mode and five in the automatic mode. The
sixth pattern in manual is reserved for the Launch Control function, giving the
driver the fastest possible acceleration from standstill.

The new M5 also features a new DSC traction control system specifically
developed for the car. Offering three settings, the default mode offers
drivers the high levels of performance and stability you would expect of a car
wearing the 'M' badge. But by pressing the DSC button once the car reverts to M
Dynamic Mode to allow an enthusiastic driver the ability to push the M5 to the
absolute limits of traction, even permitting some sideslip and countersteering.
If the DSC button is pressed again and held down DSC is completely disengaged.

Assisting further with performance the BMW M5 also comes with an MDrive button
on the steering wheel, offering a one-touch function that changes the settings
on the car to an enhanced sporting character. This set-up is formatted via
iDrive with the owner choosing the preferred SMG, Electronic Damper Control and
DSC modes and, if specified, the rate of support the Active Seat Control side
bolsters offer. Once programmed, the driver just presses the MDrive button on
the steering wheel to transform the character of the M5.

The function of the standard fit Head-up Display is also altered when the
MDrive button is activated. The default setting sees speed, navigation
instructions, check control messages and cruise control settings projected onto
the windscreen in the driver's line of sight. However, if MDrive is activated
the display changes to a rev counter including vehicle speed that both flash at
the driver when the next gear needs to be selected.

While the chassis, suspension and steering of the M5 are based on the design of
the 5 Series, almost all components are new. The M5 also features a variable M
differential lock that offers a high level of driving stability and traction,
especially when accelerating out of high-speed corners. Stopping power in the
M5 is also enhanced courtesy of a high performance braking system with
cross-drilled ventilated discs and twin-piston callipers. This braking system,
in combination with the lightweight materials incorporated in the 1,755kgs car,
ensures that the M5 decelerates from 62mph to zero in just 36 metres or 124mph
to zero is reached in 140 metres.

Visually, the new M5 takes the distinctive looks of the 5 Series to another
level, with modified front and rear aprons and side sills. For the first time
on an M5, the front wings now incorporate an air duct, which helps keep the
engine bay cool during operation, and a new door mirror design. Wider
wheelarches house the exclusive 19-inch M5 wheel design while BMW M's signature
four tailpipes alert drivers behind to the potential of the car in front.

The BMW M5 will be launched in Europe in January 2005, while deliveries of
right-hand-drive models in the UK start in Spring 2005.

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