BMW M5
by: Kevin Hagen
Posted on: Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm by: Kevin Hagen
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The BMW M5 combines understated elegance with the power of a 500 bhp 5.0 liter V10 engine, performance-enhancing active roll stabilization, electronically controlled dampers, the latest safety features and technology, and the comfort to truly enhance the joy of driving.
BMW politely says their single goal is to “enhance the joy of driving.” Jim Gorzelany of Forbes Autos calls the BMW M5 “four doors to insanity,” and Piers Ward of Top Gear claims the 500 bhp V10, the electronically controlled dampers and the various gearbox and power settings “transform the M5 from a car that’s eyebrow-raising to hair-raising.” “Automobile Mag” states that if you are a car driver looking for both elite-level comfort as well as outstanding performance, you are heading in the right direction with a BMW M5.
For a sticker price of $82,900 you get quite a lot, starting with muscle from a compact, high-revving 5.0-liter V-10 engine with 383 ft-lb. of torque (0-60 in 4.4 seconds according to Carseek) and double-Vanos variable valve timing, making this what some would claim is the fastest four-door, five-passenger sedan in the world, with either a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox with a floor shifter or steering column-mounted shift paddles, or an optional six-speed fully manual.
Performance enhancements include active roll stabilization to reduce lean when cornering, active steering for a variable steering ratio based on speed, all-season traction for better stability and control in all types of road conditions, four-wheel independent suspension, dynamic driving control (hit the Sport button) for quicker engine response and reduced power-steering assist and electronic damping control that automatically adjusts the shock settings to fit the speed and road conditions.
The BMW M5 also incorporates some nice safety features, such as hill descent control, an enhanced braking system to slow down those optional 19-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels, adaptive brake lights to let the driver behind you know how hard you are braking, a tire deflation sensor and, in addition to hydraulically enhanced energy-absorbing collision protection, you also get active knee and head protection airbags.
The interior sports a driver-centered cockpit with a fighter-jet-like head-up display, cowhide-covered 16-way power seats with adjustable lumbar support, dual zone climate controls with an interior active charcoal air filter, wood accents on the dash and doors, a Logic7 acoustics platform and an intrinsic wireless system with GPS and real-time traffic information.
All this, along with the traditional understated elegance, with its sloping front end, stabilizing rear contour and smooth aerodynamic style, make the BMW M5 what All Auto Reviews refers to as one of “today’s most revered models of any auto maker the world over.”
