There’s an angry crackle from the 10 cylinders up front as I push down on the accelerator. In just 66 milliseconds, the Sequential M gearbox (SMG) hooks fourth gear; I scream down the back straight, briefly hook fifth, hitting the 220kph mark, and then jump on the brake pedal to arrest the vehicle.
BMW’s fourth-generation M5 was launched to the media three weeks ago at the Phakisa race track in Welkom, and sensibly so. The V10 is the highest revving unit in its class and, with a limit of 8 250rpm, sounds like it has been lifted from Nick Heidfeld’s FW 27.
The four exhausts spell danger to anyone brave enough to take on Bavaria’s latest weapon. Even Mercedes’s E55, which boasts 350kW and 700Nm of torque, will be hard pushed to stay ahead of the new M5.
What is amazing is how quickly the M5 transforms itself into a formidable opponent. In standard form, the all‒aluminium block pushes out 298kW. Hit the power button and the vehicle instantly produces 373kW.
The two five-cylinder banks of the V10 are arranged at an angle of 90° to achieve a mass balance of the crankshaft drive, which is optimised for low vibration and increased comfort. The bi-Vanos variable valve timing ensures an optimum charge cycle, thus helping to achieve short adjustment times. Throttle control is fully electronic and cylinder bank specific.
Thanks to the SMG’s drivelogic function, the driver can choose from 11 gear-change options, which enable him or her to adapt the SMG’s characteristics to his or her own style of motoring. Six of these programmes can be pre-selected in the sequential manual gearbox mode (S mode), the spectrum ranging from balanced dynamic to very sporty.
The new M5 accomplishes the 0 to 100kph sprint in 4,7 seconds and reaches the 200kph mark in 15 seconds. It has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. Removing the limiter will invalidate your warranty and Motorplan, but you’ll be able to clock an awe-inspiring 330kph.
A new generation of dynamic stability control (DSC) has been developed for the M5. The DSC system can be deactivated by pressing a button on the selector lever cover. The driving dynamics programmes are pre-selected and can be called up using the MDrive button on the steering wheel.
Cornering at speed is child’s play, thanks to the electronic damper control, which enables the driver to choose from three programmes (comfort, normal and sport) and adjusts the suspension accordingly.
To complement its immense power output, the M5 is equipped with a high-performance braking system with perforated, weight-optimised compound brake discs. The aluminium twin-piston sliding callipers help the M5 to decelerate from 100kph to 0 in less than 36m, while the braking distance from 200kph to a standstill is less than 140m.
BMW SA says it will prise 80 units a year from its parent company, and has pitched the M5 at R850 000, just below the E55’s price tag of R861 000.