Since the introduction of the G30 BMW 5 Series back in 2016, the company had an extensive line up for the 5er spanning from the ultra-frugal 530e iPerformance to the monstrous M550i xDrive but not a word on the fire-breathing M5. Ten months down the road, the company has unleashed the holy grail of 5 Series’, the F90 BMW M5, into the world.
BMW is keeping it safe with the powerplant, unlike Mercedes-AMG who employed a newly developed engine for the E63, the new M5 gets the same unit carried over from the F10 M5. When mated to the eight-speed automatic transmission, the heavily revised 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 churns out 600 hp and 750 Nm of twisting force. The increased output from the M TwinPower Turbo powerplant is mainly due to the newly developed turbochargers, higher maximum injection pressure and better lubrication.
For the first time in the history of M5s, the F90 M5 comes equipped with a M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The newly developed xDrive system boasts a rear-biased set-up whereby the front-wheels come into play when the need arises. The biggest merit from switching to an all-wheel drive set up from a RWD is that the new M5 will sprint off the line much more efficiently thanks to additional traction. From standstill, the M5 will get to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds; half a second quicker than the F10 M5 Competition. If you have the M Driver’s Package option, the speedometer will read 305 km/h (250 km/h on standard versions) on full whack.
Stopping power comes from the standard M compound brakes with blue painted six-piston callipers at the front while the rear axles are retarded by single-piston items, also painted in blue. For the track frequenters, be sure to tick the optional M carbon ceramic brake kit that aren’t only 23 kg lighter than the standard set up, but is instantly recognisable from the gold-colour painted callipers.
Enthusiast can put down their pitchforks and torches because M-division understands very well that Sheer Driving Pleasure means going sideways with the throttle wide open. Hence, BMW has equipped the xDrive system comes in three different drive modes – 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD. Yes, confident drivers can have their M5s to be rear-wheel driven only with “no control systems to hold it back“. The only inconvenience is having to select 2WD every single time before driving off.
While the 4WD is set up for greatest possible traction, the standard 4WD mode still allows a small amount of slip angle for that playful character M-division vehicles are renowned for. Switching to 4WD Sport and the xDrive will send more torque to the rear axles allowing the drivers to easily put the M5 into controlled drifts and enjoy its playful handling with a wide safety net.
Separating itself from the regular M5 with a M-specific body kit, it covers the front and rear bumper, side sills, rear lip spoiler, rear diffuser and wing mirrors. These parts collectively contribute to the cars overall aerodynamics and cooling function. Also unique to the M5 are the Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) roof and quad-exhaust tailpipes.
As standard, the M5 rides on 19-inch five-double spoke light-alloy wheels finished in polished Orbit Grey wrapped in mixed tyre profiles of 275/40 at the front and 285/40 on the rear axles. 20-inch seven-double spoke light-alloy wheels finished in black or polished black are available as an option.
Inside, the F90 differs from the regular G30 with its M-Specific digital instrument cluster, iDrive system and Heads-Up Display. The red start button is also unique to the M5 as are the red-painted M1 and M2 buttons next to the shift paddles. These two buttons allow the driver to instantly select from two individual set-ups for the M5 including M xDrive, DSC, engine, transmission, damper and steering characteristics, as well as the appearance of M view in the Heads-Up Display.
All F90 M5 will come with Merino leather as standard with M Sport Seats while the bucket-seat style depicted are the optional M multifunctional seats that provides greater shoulder support. A variety of exterior colours can be had on the M5 while new additions to the spectrum include Marina Bay Blue Metallic, Frozen Dark Silver and Frozen Arctic Grey.
Locally, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has the Mercedes-AMG E43 on sale. While the E43 is not a direct competitor to the M5 (the E63 is), having it in Malaysia to spice up the business saloon segment does sound like an exciting proposition. After all, they already have the M4 LCI on sale here.
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