Driver's delight BMW M5

The BMW 5 Series is a driver’s car in its standard form. Imagine what the car will feel like when you have double the power and torque on tap. It doesn’t end there, for the suspension, brakes and the tyres have been upgraded to handle the extra performance of the car.

A few of the key features that make the M stand out from the regular 5 Series are its flared wheel-arches, M gills, aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors and the 20-inch M light alloy wheels in double spoke design. The M signature quad exhaust pipes are positioned on the outer edges of the rear apron.

                         

The M 5 is powered by an M twin power turbo 4,395-cc V8 engine. The V8 with M twin power turbo produces 560 PS. The technologies used in this engine are a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers, a cross-bank exhaust manifold, direct petrol injection, valvetronic variable timing and double-vanos continuously variable camshaft control. The 4,395-cc engine produces a hefty 680 NM of torque between 1,500 revolutions per minute and 5,750 RPM while the massive 560 PS is produced between 6,000 and 7,000 RPM.

The powerful motor is mated to a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with drive logic. The transmission’s electronic management system ensures that the right gear is selected for optimum response and traction. It has launch control for maximum acceleration. The power is put down on the road via the active M differential through the rear wheels. The electronically controlled multi-disc limited-slip differential works along with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and splits the drive between the right and left rear wheels quickly and precisely according to the situation.

The M division has worked on the chassis to harness the extra performance. Like the integral rear axle, the double-wishbone front axle has components made from forged aluminium. The car is fitted with M-specific version of the dynamic damper control system and hydraulic variable-ratio rack-and-pinion steering with the M servotronic function.

The drive was from Munich to the Neuschwanstein Castle and back, the total distance being close to 400 kilometres. These 400 kilometres comprised a variety of roads from unrestricted autobahns to B country roads and some nice mountain sections. Although it was still winter and the temperature was in the single digits, I was lucky as it was bright and sunny, but some parts were still covered with snow.

Within a few kilometres we were on the autobahn and cruising at close to double-ton speeds. Soon we were on the country roads and I was throwing the M5 from one corner into another and it was responding to all my commands. The flat torque curve from 1,500 RPM onwards meant there was no turbo lag and the car surged forward at the slightest tap on the pedal. With the M2 mode selected the steering became direct, the suspension firm and the throttle response made the car sharp like a razor-blade. If you want to light up the rear tyres, all you to do is select first and floor the throttle; you get pinned back into the seat and you can feel and smell the winter rubber as it lights up. The M5 is a driver’s car; it would be a total waste if it were driven by a chauffeur.

Source: http://autos.in.msn.com/gallery/bmw-m5-driver%E2%80%99s-delight#image=5