The M5.

Well, for those that know me well, you knew it was just a matter of time before I dedicated a Post to the incredible M5. It has long been either near or sometimes at the top of my dreamcar list--my cars that I would most like to own. The E39 M5 (2000-2003) was quite a performer. BMW squeezed 394 hp (6,600 rpms) and 368 lb-ft of torque (3,800 rpms) out of the 5.0 V-8 engine. With a curb weight of 4,024 lbs, the M5 had a power to weight ratio of 10.2, not bad for a big four-door sedan that you could comfortably road trip with three other adults in. Furthermore, if your pockets were deep enough, you could take your M5 to Steve Dinan and he could coax 471 horsepower out of it (for a power to weight ratio of 8.5). An aside here: the E39's M5 engine is rumored to be going into the next-generation M3, which should strike fear in the hearts of all S4 and C55 owners (not to mention all the Porsche drivers in the ALMS's GT class).

All things, however, must come to an end, and the E39 M5 did so at the end of the 2003 model year. With the new E60 5-series, BMW (and particularly head designer, Chris Bangle) have made a lot of BMW-faithful very angry with the new cars polarizing styling. I happen not to mind it that much. It definitely is not an evolution of the E39, but a completely new styling direction. Only time will tell what the long-term results of the styling changes are. But today (or very soon at least) we get to enjoy one of the most-potent four-doors on the road. In fact, this is the first 10 cylinder engine BMW has made for a street car, and it is the most powerful engine, BMW has every put into a street car. And what an engine it is. BMW likes to draw attention to the connection between the M5's engine and that of the Williams F1 BMW. Obviously the similarities end pretty much beyond the number of cylinders, but nonetheless it will give well-heeled owners something more to impress their friends with. The new engine is only 3 cubic inches larger than the E39's in displacement, remaining at 5.0 liters. With lightened internals, and an extra two cylinders, however, the V-10 makes 500 hp (7,750 rpms) and 384 lb-ft of torque (6,100 rpms). This engine is able to hit the mythical 100hp/liter ratio, a rarified place indeed. The redline, by the way, is at an astronomical 8,250 rpms. In fact, the engine will tolerate short runs all the way to 8,500 rpms during full-throttle upshifts. Yes, one could call this motor high-strung. If you remember from the "Three Supercars" Post below, that redline is higher than the Ferrari Enzo's and only 150 shy of the Porsche's. Pretty impressive company.

How about some numbers:

2005 BMW M5
5.0 liter V-10
compression ratio: 12.0:1
redline: 8,250 rpms
front-engine, rear-wheel drive
7-speed SMG transmission
curb weight: 4035 lbs
500 hp
384 lb-ft of torque
power to weight: 8.1
0-60 mph (BMW's claims): 4.6 seconds
0-125 mph (BMW's claims): 14.4 seconds
top speed: 155 mph (governed), but I hear it is good for close to 190

I can't wait until the press is able to do full performance tests on this car to see what kind of verified numbers it can put up. E55s and RS6s beware. The M5 is back.