The all-new BMW M5, factory code F90, is almost ready for prime time. BMW has issued a press release to tell us about the new drivetrain—with on-demand two- or all-wheel drive—the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission, and some of the electronics that we'll find in the top-of-the-line M Car. But even with all that information, BMW will still not show us a picture of the car without its camouflage.
The F90 M5 will be the most technologically advanced and sophisticated M car so far, and it will feature many firsts. Some of them you will like, and some you may not like, but may want to wait until you drive it to know for sure.
As expected, the sixth-generation M5 will have its own version of an M-tuned all-wheel drive, dubbed M xDrive, making it the first all-wheel drive M5 or M car, for that matter, if you don't count the X5 M and X6 M.
For a few y ears now, BMW executives have been hinting that once the power gets to around 600 horsepower, all-wheel drive might be necessary to efficiently get all that power to the pavement. BMW also said that any all-wheel drive on an M car would be heavily biased toward the rear. The M5's M xDrive takes that concept further.
“The core component of M xDrive is a central intelligence unit with M-specific software delivering integrated control of longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The new drivetrain technology—making its debut on the new BMW M5—therefore combines all of the agility and precision of standard rear-wheel drive with the supreme poise and traction of the all-wheel-drive system,” explained Frank van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. “As a result, the new BMW M5 can be piloted with the familiar blend of sportiness and unerring accuracy on both the race track and the open road—and in various weather conditions, too.”
In other words, less-experienced drivers may want to opt for the xDrive setting, while more experienced track drivers and drifters might choose the two-wheel drive setting. M xDrive only sends power to the front wheels when the system senses that the rear wheels can't transmit any more power to the road.
BMW factory driver Timo Glock has driven the new M5 and commented, “I’m a big M5 fan. “I often drive long distances and I need plenty of room for my family, but I wouldn’t wish to give up the chance to explore the car’s sporting character. With M xDrive, not only can the new BMW M5 be steered with the usual precision and agility, it also offers me something I really appreciate, living in Switzerland: a noticeable boost to traction and controllability—even when driving in particular environmental conditions, such as wet weather and snow, and in both everyday driving situations and when pushing the car to its performance limits.”
Another new feature on the F90 M5 will sadden some purists: an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This automatic is tuned to shift faster and at optimal times. The paddle shifters provide instant gear changes. Other than the physical act of shifting—which is sacred to some enthusiasts—the eight-speed auto will probably make you quicker.
The heart of a BMW is its motor. In its press release, BMW did not specify the output of the 4.4-liter V8 with M TwinPower Turbo technology, but rumors coming out of Munich put it at over 600 horsepower and almost 600 pound-feet of torque. Expect zero-to-60 times under 4 seconds; perhaps even around 3.5 or 3.6 seconds.
The Active M Differential in the new M5 will allow from zero to 100 percent lockup to the rear wheels, computer controlled to provide the grip needed.
Upon engine start, the car defaults to 4WD mode with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on. For a sportier feel, M Dynamic Mode is available and for maximum fun, there is 4WD Sport. If the driver deactivates DSC, there is 4WD mode for when the roads are bad and the driver doesn't want DSC looking over his shoulder all the time. 4WD Sport is a good setting for a driver who doesn't mind getting a little loose without the car's computer yanking back control of the throttle. The 2WD setting with DSC off is the button for those enthusiasts who bemoaned putting all-wheel drive in an M Car. In 2WD, you can break the rear wheels free and drift to your heart's content.
In the cockpit, the instruments are where you'd expect them to be in a BMW, but you might not look at them much since the Head-Up Display is abut 70 percent larger than before
As we said, BMW has not revealed a whole lot of information but we can deduce this. The F90 M5 will be more powerful, with more sophisticated electronics than ever before. It will have driving modes that range from very safe to very exciting. We want to see the car without camouflage and we want to see some road test reports. What we might not want to see is the price tag, but for those who can afford it, the new M5 looks like a car that can either be the beauty or the beast—or perhaps even both at the same time.—Scott Blazey
BMW released a video teaser of the new M5. Here it is.
Over in Europe, BMW factory race driver Timo Glock drives the F90 M5 for the first time with Dirk Häcker, head of development for BMW M automobiles riding shotgun and explaining the systems. This one is a little long.
[Photos and videos courtesy of BMW AG and BMW M.]
