In the summer of 2012, the 5th generation of BMW’s mighty M5 sedan will hit the streets again. And in typical, modern-day, sports-car fashion this latest BMW creation will offer more power, more torque and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor.
Let's have a bit of a history lesson first just to get in the mood, shall we? The first “official” M5 hit the streets in 1985 and was powered by a 3.4L inline-6 that produced 256 hp in North America. OK, enough history: The 2013 model’s pony count is more than double compared to the original.
The 2013 BMW M5 will inherit a smaller engine than the outgoing M5, which was sold from 2006 to 2010 and was equipped with a 500-hp, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10.
The new M5 sheds a couple of pistons by adopting the twin-turbo, 4.4L V8 that’s found in the X5 M and X6 M crossovers, albeit with a few modifications. Total output is rated at 560 hp and 500 lb.-ft. Yes, that makes the 2013 BMW M5 the German brand’s most powerful production car engine ever.
Code-named S63Tü (X5 M and X6 M got the S63), the blown V8 gets some internal modifications, larger air-to-liquid intercoolers, a retuned exhaust and a higher maximum boost pressure (1.5 bar versus 1.2). The 2013 M5’s peak torque is laid to the ground from 1,500 rpm all the way to 5,750 rpm, while the redline sits at 7,200 rpm – 200 revs north of the S63 engine.
A 7-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox with wheel-mounted paddle shifters (dubbed M DCT) will be the only transmission offered when the rear-drive M5 goes on sale in mid-2012. Coupled with the twin-turbo V8, BMW says the car reaches 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds which actually sounds conservative. A speed limiter butts in at 250 km/h, which is more than enough.
A common trait with dual-clutch gearboxes is a jerkiness at low speeds; BMW claims their Low Speed Assistance function smooths out the engine’s power delivery in traffic while the driver is feathering the throttle. We’ll see.
The 2013 BMW M5 will inherit a smaller engine than the outgoing M5, which was sold from 2006 to 2010 and was equipped with a 500-hp, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10.
The new M5 sheds a couple of pistons by adopting the twin-turbo, 4.4L V8 that’s found in the X5 M and X6 M crossovers, albeit with a few modifications. Total output is rated at 560 hp and 500 lb.-ft. Yes, that makes the 2013 BMW M5 the German brand’s most powerful production car engine ever.
Code-named S63Tü (X5 M and X6 M got the S63), the blown V8 gets some internal modifications, larger air-to-liquid intercoolers, a retuned exhaust and a higher maximum boost pressure (1.5 bar versus 1.2). The 2013 M5’s peak torque is laid to the ground from 1,500 rpm all the way to 5,750 rpm, while the redline sits at 7,200 rpm – 200 revs north of the S63 engine.
A 7-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox with wheel-mounted paddle shifters (dubbed M DCT) will be the only transmission offered when the rear-drive M5 goes on sale in mid-2012. Coupled with the twin-turbo V8, BMW says the car reaches 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds which actually sounds conservative. A speed limiter butts in at 250 km/h, which is more than enough.
A common trait with dual-clutch gearboxes is a jerkiness at low speeds; BMW claims their Low Speed Assistance function smooths out the engine’s power delivery in traffic while the driver is feathering the throttle. We’ll see.
The M5 should also be more fuel-efficient, a benefit we assume M5 owners couldn’t care less about apart from less-frequent stops for fill-ups. The Bavarian brand states a 30% improvement over the outgoing M5 and its V10. This achievement is no doubt helped by the addition of a start/stop system. And there's no innovation here as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz already offer this feature in their Panamera and AMG models respectively.
Inside, you’ll obviously find M-specific features including Merino leather sport seats, a sport steering wheel and an exclusive instrument display. Something new in the 2013 M5: There is not one, but two M Drive buttons for setting up the M5 as you like it with “Efficient”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus” driving modes.
Inside, you’ll obviously find M-specific features including Merino leather sport seats, a sport steering wheel and an exclusive instrument display. Something new in the 2013 M5: There is not one, but two M Drive buttons for setting up the M5 as you like it with “Efficient”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus” driving modes.
We’ll spare you the lengthy details, but you probably won’t be surprised to know that BMW tweaked the chassis, the suspension components and the brakes for M5 performance. The car has also been lowered by 13 mm compared to lesser 5 Series sedans, and hosts all the electronic driving aids you can think of.
Finally, you’ll be able to dress up the M5 like the rest of the 5 Series models, with navigation, interior colours and trimmings, BMW ConnectedDrive (smartphone integration) and other goodies to impress your neighbours with.
The beast shall live once again, but it won’t come cheap, relatively speaking. We expect the 2013 BMW M5 to carry a sticker price in the $110,000 range, which is more or less in line with the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and CLS 63 AMG.
Finally, you’ll be able to dress up the M5 like the rest of the 5 Series models, with navigation, interior colours and trimmings, BMW ConnectedDrive (smartphone integration) and other goodies to impress your neighbours with.
The beast shall live once again, but it won’t come cheap, relatively speaking. We expect the 2013 BMW M5 to carry a sticker price in the $110,000 range, which is more or less in line with the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and CLS 63 AMG.
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