Mid-Feb local launch for BMW's head-kicking M5

The replacement for BMW's E60-generation M5 is just months away from a local launch and will offer more of everything for an anticipated lower price.

BMW has just concluded the multi-week media campaign that was the global launch of the new M5 and most of the details are now out in the public domain. The new (F10 generation) car is powered by a twin-turbo V8 displacing 4.4 litres and producing healthy peak power and torque outputs of 412kW and 680Nm respectively.

While the basic engine architecture is shared with other vehicles in the BMW model range, the M5's powerplant features a cross-bank exhaust manifold to supply the turbochargers and direct petrol injection. A slightly undersquare design (with bore and stroke of 88.3x89.0mm), the V8 benefits from Valvetronic variable valve control to balance out the conflicting needs of power and economy without affecting driveability. Despite its performance potential — the M5 will sprint to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds — the combined-cycle fuel consumption is 9.9L/100km and CO2 emissions in the same test cycle are 232g/km.

The engine drives through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which BMW variously describes as the M DCT or DKG DriveLogic transmission, to the rear wheels via a new 'Active M differential', which is a multi-plate limited-slip differential controlled by a processor linked to the car's DSC stability control system. According to the manufacturer the differential can limit slip on one side anywhere between 0 and 100 per cent, depending on factors such as throttle input, wheel rotation and the car's yaw rate.

BMW has built into the new M5 a series of electronic systems to allow the driver to adjust the way the vehicle operates. Ride quality, steering assistance and drivetrain response can be set on the fly with three buttons on the centre console. In addition, there are two 'M Drive' buttons on the left spoke of the steering wheel that are effectively 'Favourites' options that can be customised for different driving modes —disabling the traction and stability control systems among them.

The car eschews electric power steering, running hydraulically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic control. Compound-construction brakes feature six-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston fixed calipers at the rear. Ventilated all round, the disc rotors measure 400x36mm at the front, 396x24mm at the rear.  

Wheels are 19-inch alloys in a paired-spoke design, with 265/40 R19 tyres at the front and 295/35 R19 at the rear.

The M5 for Australia is expected to be kitted out at a higher level than the cars sold in other markets, but we won't be getting the Speed Limit Info function in the Head-Up Display, due to the complex and parlous state of our speed limit signs. Nor will we have the iPhone apps feature available in other markets, since it doesn't comply with Australian Design Rules.

What we are likely to see in the local-spec M5 will include the four-zone climate control, electrically-adjustable heated front seats with memory, adaptive xenon headlights with High Beam Assistant, alarm, satellite navigation with hard disk drive, electrically-operated glass sunroof, Park Distance Control, reversing camera, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View and Night Vision with pedestrian detection.

According to Piers Scott, BMW Australia's Head of Corporate Communications, the new M5 will be arriving in Australia during the final weeks of February next year, postponed a week due to conflict with a round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island.

When it goes on sale, he says, it will be priced "no more than" the current V10-powered M5, which sells at $241,816.

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