The presentation of the BMW M5 F10 in 2011 represented another coup. The high-performance business sedan was received enthusiastically by public and press, although it was already the fifth generation of the model and people were beginning to ask how many more superlatives were possible. In the case of the M5: any number. Its immediate predecessors had already set new standards. The third generation, the BMW M5 E39, was the first with a V8 engine and was considered at the time to be the fastest series limousine in the world. And its successor, the BMW M5 E60, even sported a V10 naturally aspirated engine, a power station with 40 valves and a power density of 100 hp. The fifth generation, the BMW M5 F10, continued this series of superlatives. The model was the first turbocharged M5 and despite its lower cubic capacity was able to improve its performance figures tangibly.
5 POWERFUL FACTS:
- First BMW M5 with turbocharger
- Max. output: 412 kW (560 hp)
- From 0 to 100 kmh in 4.3 seconds
- Max. torque: 680 Nm
- Vmax with M Driver’s package: 305 km/h
THE BEST OF TRADITIONS.
In line with, if not exceeding, the expectations, the premiere of the new BMW M5 F10 set the bar even higher. Its newly developed V8 motor with M TwinPower turbo technology raised the performance compared to the superb V10 engine of its predecessor by 10%, the torque by 30% even, while the fuel consumption fell by 30%, thanks to optimized BMW EfficientDynamics technologies. Then there was the new suspension, developed on the racetrack and comprehensively tested on the legendary Nordschleife, before being employed in the BMW M5 F10 and which supplied hitherto unknown dynamics in terms of lateral and longitudinal acceleration.
MORE POWER = MORE EFFICIENCY.
Compared to its predecessor, the BMW M5 F10 had an additional 53 horsepower under the bonnet. 412 kW (560 hp) at 6,000 to 7,000 rpm gave the V8 immense thrust. Electronically limited, the high-performance limousine reached a top speed of 250 km/h, and even 305 km/h with the M Driver’s Package. The four-door limousine went from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. In the summer of 2012, test drivers from auto motor sport even managed the sprint in only 4.1 seconds. To reach 200 km/h, it took 12.4 seconds.
The powerful facts finally laid to rest the popular if mistaken belief that performance and uncompromising driving pleasure are the exclusive domain of the drivers of “real” sportscars. The Porsche 991 for instance, a contemporary of the BMW M5 F10 with the same DoB, lagged behind the Bavarian sports sedan, even in the Carrera S version. Also in auto motor sport test, the two-seater sports coupé managed the sprints from 0 to 100 kmh in 4.2 seconds and to 200 kmh in 14.1 seconds – numbers, the M5 could easily outperform.
For the first time, the propulsion provided by the powerful turbocharged engine gave the occupants of the fifth BMW M5 a dynamic driving experience across the whole rev spectrum: With its generous torque of 680 Nm, the V8 had enormous thrust already at 1,500 rpm and vehemently pushed the passengers into their seats. By this moment at the latest, those who had been initially sceptical were convinced by the turbocharged drive train: The BMW M5 F10 was a serious statement to those in the sportscar world who had to get by without five seats.
POSITIVELY TESTED ON RACING.
Efficiency is the key word: the fifth generation of the BMW M5 also sets new standards in terms of lightweight construction. Developed with racing expertise, weight-optimised and precisely matched to the performance characteristics of the engine – the chassis technology lets the BMW M5 shine. Together with the drivetrain and design, the chassis was extensively tested and refined on the Nordschleife on the Nürburgring in order to produce the best results in longitudinal and transverse acceleration as well as handling and deceleration.
Like all BMW M5s before it, it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. On the one hand a comfortable limousine. On the other a racing car. And all in modern form and with supreme efficiency.”
project engineer BMW M5 F10
NO EITHER/OR.
The BMW M5 F10 represents the successful marriage of sedan and sportscar. It offers the driving performance of a super sportscar with an average fuel consumption of under 10 l per 100 km. At the same time, the M5 is a top-quality, roomy limousine for up to five people and with a boot volume of 520 litres offering plenty of room for shopping or luggage. Maximilian Ahme, project engineer for the development of the fifth BMW M5, aptly described the car at its launch as “the hottest company car in the world”.
FROM MEETING TO RACETRACK.
Just one press of a button separates the driver of a BMW M5 F10 in everyday life from the racetrack – at least as far as the driving experience is concerned. The two new M Drive buttons on the steering wheel enabled the driver for the first time to change the vehicle configuration at the touch of a button, eg from Comfort to Sport. Practically the whole vehicle technology, from the motor via the transmission and Servotronic steering to the electronic suspension can be reset to different modes. This enables drivers to deal with city traffic or long business trips – and switch to a racetrack setting whenever they want. With responsive steering and fast gear shifts for maximum acceleration.
LUXURY COCKPIT FEELING.
Take the steering wheel of the fifth generation BMW M5 and you feel like you’re in the cockpit of a plane – just with loads of luxury features. This mix of cockpit and luxury ambience is the rigorous continuation of the symbiosis for which the BMW M5 F10 stands. M sports seats, M leather steering wheel and series standard M specific Head-up display all contribute to an exclusive M feeling consisting of sport and comfort.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL EDITIONS.
It was only logical that BMW M honoured the most successful high-performance business sedan in the world with special feature packages and editions. From 2012, a Competition package was offered. This supplied the uncompromising athlete with additional performance up to 423 kW (575 hp) at 6,000 rpm. Suspension lowered by 10mm and stiffer damper characteristics further improved the handling in the borderline areas and again underlined the sporting character of the car.
SPECIAL EDITION 30 YEARS OF BMW M5.
To mark the 30th anniversary in 2014, BMW M marked the fifth generation of the sedan with the special edition “30 Jahre M5” BMW M5. In a limited edition of just 300, the vehicle broke new barriers in performance. With 441 kW (600 hp) at 700 Nm, the car was the hitherto most powerful in the history of the model. 0 to 100 km/h took a spectacular 3.9 seconds and the fuel consumption matched the previous versions. Further increased performance figures, enhanced driving dynamics and a distinctive, exclusive look made the special edition a collector’s piece overnight.
COMPETITION EDITION – OUT OF COMPETITION.
In 2016, towards the end of the production cycle of the BMW M5 F10, BMW M presented a real eye-catcher. The BMW M5 Competition Edition was without doubt the hottest version of the current BMW M5 series. The dynamic performance figures – 441 kW (600 hp), 700 Nm, 0 to 100 kmh in 3.9 seconds – were underscored by an exclusive look. A concisely individualised appearance in both interior and exterior gave the BMW M5 Competition Edition unique characteristics. The bodywork had numerous dynamic accents thanks to the use of M Performance carbon parts. Inside, the individuality shone through with the comprehensive use of leather, the M5 logo on the headrests and the classy carbon facing on the glove compartment, whose numbers indicated the limited availability of the Competition Edition: The special edition was limited to 200, which was also underlined by exclusive special paintwork – 100 in Carbon Black metallic and 100 in Mineral White metallic.
INSTANT CLASSIC.
Soon after its launch, the BMW M5 F10 gained cult status. The fifth BMW M5 set new standards: The driving performance of a super sports car paired with the comfort of a business sedan, a V8 engine with two turbo chargers and unique driving dynamics born on the racetrack. Around 20,600 were sold in the five-year construction period from 2011 to 2016. And the enthusiasm lives on. The BMW M5 F10 is on the way to becoming a sought-after modern classic, with the driving performance still among the best in the segment. The BMW M5 F10 can measure itself against current vehicles and thus has a fixed place in the dynamic tradition of the BMW M5.
