Other key features include a stiffened aluminium chassis and a 7-speed SMG III sequential manual transmission. Front fog lights are unavailable for the E60 M5, as the amount of air required to cool the brakes under spirited driving applications requires the spaces under the bumper, normally occupied by fog lights in other E60 cars, to be reallocated for air cooling ducts. The M5 features several Formula One inspired engine and transmission controls, including launch control, dynamic stability control, and the option of changing to either automated or manual, as well as the speed at which shifts are completed (there are 11 shift programmes in total forming what BMW calls Drivelogic). Manual shifting can be done with either a console shifter, or the steering wheel mounted shift paddles, both of which are fitted to all SMG M5s. The console shifter is the type used on manumatic transmissions; tipping it backward (toward the "+") shifts up, while a forward tip (toward the "-") shifts down. The shifter can be moved to the left to access neutral and reverse. The car also features a "power" button on the navigation panel (labeled "M") which offers access to three modes: P400 (limiting the engine to 400 PS (294 kW; 395 bhp) for daily driving use), P500 (unleashes the full 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp)), and P500 S (for full power and sharper throttle response, selectable only from the "M Drive Settings" in the iDrive menu). P400 is the default start-up mode, the P500 modes are preselected using iDrive and then activated from P500 S using the "M" button. The F10 M5 is set to be first released to the public at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will include a currently unknown 8 cylinder twin turbocharged engine with torque of 680 N·m (502 ft·lbf) @ ~1500rpm, as indicated by Albert Biermann, head of BMW M GmbH. This could be boosted further by a Kinetic Energy Regeneration System (KERS) found in Formula One racing applications. This makes it one of the most powerful engines BMW M has ever produced, rivaled only by the BMW S70/2 used in the legendary McLaren F1.E60 M5 (2006–2010)
The E60 M5 was introduced in 2005. It has a 4,999 cc (305.1 cu in) BMW V10 S85 engine redlining at 8250 rpm, and developing a peak output of 509 bhp (380 kW; 516 PS) and 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) of torque. Unlike some other BMW engines which utilise Valvetronic to infinitely vary valve lift to eliminate the throttle plate, this engine has individual throttle bodies per cylinder.
Production 2005–present Assembly Dingolfing, Germany Predecessor E39 M5 Successor F10 M5 Body style(s) 4-door saloon/sedan, Platform BMW E60 Engine(s) 5.0L V10 petrol engine Transmission(s) 6-speed manual Wheelbase saloon: 2,889 mm (113.7 in),
Touring: 2,880 mm (113.4 in)Length 4,855 mm (191.1 in)
2008-present: 191.5 in (4,864 mm)Width 1,846 mm (72.7 in) Height saloon: 1,469 mm (57.8 in),
Touring: 1,512 mm (59.5 in)Kerb weight saloon: 1,820 kg (4,012 lb),
Touring: 1,955 kg (4,310 lb)Fuel capacity 70 L (15.4 imp gal; 18.5 US gal) Related BMW 5-Series Designer Chris Bangle
The BMW M5, along with the new BMW M6, were designed to use the new SMG III electrohydraulic manual transmission. The transmission, while responsive at the track, has been criticized for its general lack of smoothness in everyday driving. In October 2006, BMW announced that a 6-speed manual transmission would be available in North America, based on suggestions from the motoring press. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower, since the stability control cannot be disengaged as per the SMG version. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature, which allows maximum performance standing starts automatically. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced rpm to prevent vehicle damage and abuse.
Performance
The E60 M5 took the title of the most powerful midsize sport sedan when released in 2005 with the 5 Liter naturally aspirated V10 BMW S85 engine.
E61 M5 Touring (2007–present)
The E61 M5 Touring was introduced in 2007, only the second M version of the 5-Series Touring after the E34. It shares the same drivetrain with its saloon sibling, and serves as a rival to the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. The Touring isn't offered for sale in North America.
F10 M5 (2011 -)Production 2011– Predecessor E60 M5 Body style(s) 4-door sedan Platform BMW F10 Engine(s) V8 Twin Turbo Transmission(s) 7-speed dual clutch transmission Related BMW 5-Series Designer Adrian van Hooydonk
Turbocharging the M5 has not gone unnoticed, with long time fans of the M series being disappointed that BMW seems to be moving away from traditionally low displacement naturally aspirated high reving engines. Due to rising international regulations, reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are cited as the death of the current model's V10 engine. The F10 M5 will cut CO2 emissions by 20%.
The F10 M5 will be further influenced by BMW's EfficientDynamics program to lower the weight of the car. This will improve fuel consumption and (possibly more relevantly) enhance performance. BMW has recently merged with the carbon fiber manufacturers SGL group and Biermann has further speculated that carbon fiber will be employed substantially in the structure and shell to vastly reduce weight from the previous E60 model. Hybrid systems have been ruled out of the F10 M5's line up of gadgets because of the extra weight they will add to the car.
