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Overview
The weapons-grade M5 is a powerful piece of German artillery from BMW's iconic M division. Unlike the M5 that came before it, this new generation signals a return to form for BMW by offering genuine driver involvement while still incorporating high-tech features and electronics that have dulled the current crop of Bavarian sedans.
Engines, Ride, and Handling
It sports a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, making the M5 mighty quick. At our test track, it launched to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and snapped off a 10.9-second quarter-mile time at 129 mph; top speed maxed out at 163 mph. An even more powerful M5 Competition model is now available and makes 617 horsepower. The M5 faithful will lament the lost manual gearbox and unfamiliar all-wheel-drive system, but this Bimmer has a high-tech drivetrain that can send 100 percent of power to the rear wheels for pure rear-drive personality. Driving enjoyment is maximized here with lively and direct steering, a well-controlled (borderline stiff) ride, and heroic cornering grip. That doesn't mean the M5 can't also do duty as a luxury sedan: In Comfort mode it cruises placidly and the cabin is whisper quiet.
Interior and Technology
Along with its unique exterior appearance and enhanced performance, the M5 has a unique leather interior with supple and supportive sport seats. The driving position is optimized for performance-style driving, and BMW hasn't gone the all-touchscreen route that many of its rivals have, so making changes to the air conditioning or adjusting the radio during driving causes little distraction. The large infotainment display runs BMW's latest iDrive software, sits atop the dash to the right of the driver's sightlines, and is controlled by a rotary knob on the center console. BMW offers driver-assistance features such as lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard equipment.
