BMW: M5 power now with all-wheel drive
PRO RAD 150 hp For the first time, BMW's M5 is available with all-wheel drive. Of course, this is no normal xDrive, but a high-tech power distribution The M5 has always been an impressive vehicle in itself and remains so in its new edition: 4.4-liter V8 with biturbo, 600 hp, 750 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0 to [...]
The M5 has always been an impressive vehicle in its own right and remains so in its new edition: 4.4-liter V8 with biturbo, 600 hp, 750 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 11.1 seconds and the top speed, which is otherwise limited to 250 km/h, goes up to a whopping 305 km/h with the M-Drivers package.
Return to 8-speed automatic transmission
The special feature compared with earlier M5 generations is the first use of all-wheel drive, but also the switch from the dual-clutch transmission back to the 8-speed torque converter automatic. The latter continues to manage multiple downshifts and slams the gears in even faster. Manual interventions are made possible via shift paddles.
It doesn't always have to be all-wheel drive
The power BMW is basically rear-heavy, but can be adjusted via the "Normal", "Sport" and "2WD" settings. The rear differential prevents slippage not through brake intervention, but actively through locking action. Even the basic AWD setting allows some wheel slip, which is clearly accentuated in "Sport" and even permits light drifts. Differences that are clearly evident on snow-covered roads with the 4.97-meter-long sports sedan. And that's with active DSC driving dynamics control, which can also be completely deactivated for use on the racetrack - although this requires a virtuoso interplay of throttle and steering work, especially in 2WD mode.
Distinctive exhaust sound replaces audio
Prices for the M5 start at 139,900 Swiss francs, dynamic damper control, 19-inch mixed tires and audio system included, although the latter seems somehow superfluous given the exhaust sound, even more so with the optional sports exhaust system. So there's no question that 150 hp per wheel is really fun.
