By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
Amsterdam Bureau
The Auto Channel
MUNICH, April 4, 2011. Although the world premiere of the new BMW M5 will be in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the predecessor of the sportiest 5 Series, the M 5 Concept is scheduled to bow on April 19 in Shanghai. No wonder that BMW is making use of the opportunity to draw attention for the M5 on the important Chinese market.
To keep the other markets also happy, M GmbH organized a preview for a select group of European and American journalists in their headquarters in Garching, near Munich.
According to project leader Jörg Herrmann, it was the good old discussion between the engineers and the marketing people that was his challenge when developing the M5. Technically speaking, there were no problems for him and his team.
For Dr. Kaz Segler, managing director of M GmbH, the meeting was the last one as chief of BMW AG's sporty daughter. He will go back to lead Mini, where he was also at the helm between 2004 and 2008.
Segler: "The nose of the new M5, with the large grille, show that it needs air, much air. The V-8 iis a high revving turbo engine and very fuel efficient as well. We aimed at 25 to 30 per cent lower CO2 emission than of the current M5."
Power, torque and other technical details will be released at the world premiere, but the Concept gives a good look of the upcoming series M5.
The Concept sits on 20-inch swheels with 265/35/20 Michelin Pilot sports rubber up front and 295/30/20 in the rear, Standard the series M5 will get 19 inch wheels. It is obvious that the wheel wells of the Concept are an inch or more wider than the 5 Series.
According to development engineer Jakob Polschak those of the production M5 will be more pronounced. " Also the rear view mirrors will be different," he said, " just like some other small details."
Complete BMW M5 Concept Release
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Monday, April 4, 2011… Nearly 25
years ago, US enthusiasts were introduced to the concept of the true
performance/luxury sedan, the veritable “wolf in a business
suit”. A car which offered the driving comfort experienced in a
premium sedan and the handling characteristics of a high-performance
sports car that can only be described by one single unmistakable model
designation - BMW M5. With the first generation of this model, which
arrived on US shores in 1987, BMW M GmbH laid the foundation stone for
a completely new vehicle category. The BMW M5 was the first car of its
kind to offer racing-oriented high performance in a sedan that could
be driven without compromise in everyday traffic. This unique concept
developed into a remarkable success story spanning four model
generations. BMW M GmbH prepares to draw the attention enthusiasts to
a four-door sedan yet again. The BMW Concept M5, which makes its
public debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, represents the latest
interpretation of this unmistakable vehicle character.
Uncompromising performance and typical M aesthetics in a BMW 5 Series
Sedan provide the basis for the exclusive BMW M5 driving experience.
With each model generation, the advancements made in the development
of premium sedans in terms of comfort, safety and premium ambience
were accompanied by new possibilities to intensify that unsurpassed
‘M feeling’. The world premiere of the BMW Concept M5 at
the Auto Shanghai 2011 foreshadows the continuation of this tradition.
Based on the design vocabulary developed for the BMW 5 Series Sedan,
the near-series concept car reflects the characteristic styling
features of a BMW M automobile, with which the car’s further
enhanced dynamic potential is captured.
A new high-revving V8
engine with M twin-turbo technology guarantees typical M power output.
The eight-cylinder engine delivers a spontaneous and even
acceleration, which remains constant up to the highest load and is
characteristic of the M feeling, in a previously unequalled dimension.
At the same time, both performance and efficiency have been
significantly increased in comparison to the previous engine. Numerous
drivetrain innovations and other enhancements have lead to a reduction
in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 percent. The
new engine and a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with
Drivelogic and M-specific suspension and steering create the ideal
prerequisites for an unrivalled driving experience.
Typical M aesthetics: performance defines design, aerodynamics
optimize performance.
The athletic appearance of the BMW Concept
M5 authentically expresses the engine’s superior power. The
sporty and elegant look of the BMW M5 Sedan has been specifically
modified using typical M design vocabulary. All specific design
features are directly related to the Sedan’s outstanding
performance characteristics. They were developed exclusively for the
BMW Concept M5 and enhance the vehicle’s character, which is
marked by high performance and responsive handling even under extreme
conditions. Prominent examples of this are the large air intakes,
which allow for the engine’s higher cooling requirements, as
well as optimized aerodynamics thanks to a discreet spoiler located on
the trunklid and a diffuser integrated into the rear apron.
The
BMW Concept M5 owes its intense emotional impact to the direct
relation of each detail with the technical requirements. At the same
time, the concise styling of the high-performance car’s specific
features creates the character of understatement that is typical of a
BMW M automobile. The car’s superior appearance is underlined by
the body color Chrome Shadow. The discreet appearance of this body
color distinctively enhances the surface contours of the
vehicle’s three-dimensionally modeled bodywork.
Front apron: precise airflow optimizes cooling and aerodynamics.
Dynamic lines and large air intakes on the front end of the BMW
Concept M5 are a clear indication of the vehicle’s exceptionally
sport-oriented characteristics and its engine’s outstanding
power. Like on the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the contour lines on the bonnet
of the BMW Concept M5 flow towards the BMW kidney grille. The upright
position of the widely stretched kidney grille also reflects dynamic
forward movement. The dual round Xenon headlights, which are
complemented at the top by an accentuating light, create the
road-focused look that is also characteristic of BMW M automobiles.
The front apron, which was designed exclusively for the BMW
Concept M5, contributes significantly towards both the car’s
athletic appearance as well as its dynamic potential. It features
three large air intakes, the dimensions of which are precisely
oriented towards the high cooling requirement of the engine and its
ancillary components. The center opening corresponds to the width of
the BMW kidney grille, the side contour lines move away from each
other as they continue downwards. This echoes the V shape between the
grille and the headlights, thus emphasizing the width of the air
intake.
The center air intake protrudes further out than the two
outer intakes and its contours are slightly curved. This
three-dimensional design and the deeply embedded, black grille
sporting a honeycomb design additionally underscore the
vehicle’s powerful character. With concisely designed so-called
flaps on the lower edges of the outer air intakes, the BMW Concept M5
boasts a racing-inspired feature for optimizing airflow. These also
emphasize a front apron design that is oriented towards the technical
demands.
Side view: dynamically flowing lines, large M light alloy wheels.
With powerfully modeled wheel arches and dynamically flowing
lines, the BMW Concept M5 also signals uncompromising sportiness when
viewed from the side. The long wheelbase, the set back passenger cabin
and the black side window surrounds distinctively underscore the
sedan’s stretched silhouette. This appearance is even more
strongly emphasized through M-specific lowering of the vehicleThe
athletically flared wheel arches are complemented by M-specific light
alloy wheels sporting a double-spoke design. Due to the
vehicle’s wide track, they are flush with the car body. The
20-inch forged rims are fitted with tire size 265/35 ZR20 at the front
and 265/35 ZR20 at the back.
The M-typical gill element on the
front side panel has been reinterpreted on the BMW Concept M5. The
gill features a high-quality chrome surround and is horizontally
divided by a chrome bar, which in addition to the side indicator also
bears the M logo. The gill element is the starting point of the swage
line, which during its further course across the door handles
stretches back as far as the taillights.
The rear end: athletic styling, targeted airflow.
Unparalleled
road holding are effectively symbolized by the BMW Concept M5’s
rear end design. The emphasis on vehicle width through dominating
horizontal lines also featured on the BMW 5 Series Sedan is combined
with an athletically shaped rear apron. The vehicle-specific rear
apron, which forms a smooth transition to the wide wheel arches,
ensures a particularly intensive accentuation of the motive force that
is transferred to the rear wheels.
An integrated diffuser at the
lower edge of the rear apron effectuates targeted airflow at the end
of the undercarriage. As a typical M identifying feature, the BMW
Concept M5 is fitted with a double-flow exhaust system, the double
tailpipes of which are located far apart at each side of the diffuser
and surrounded by aerodynamically shaped trims. Likewise, the discreet
rear spoiler located on the boot lid serves to optimize the
car’s aerodynamic characteristics. It ensures additional
downforce above all at high speeds, thus contributing towards supreme
handling at all times.
Awe-inspiring power, impressive efficiency: V8 with M TwinPower
Turbo.
The BMW Concept M5 gives a starting signal for the venture
into a new dimension of motor racing-oriented driving dynamics. The
high-performance characteristics reflected in its design are realized
through the M-specific drivetrain and suspension technology. Under the
concept car’s hood is a new, high-revving V8 featuring M
TwinPower Turbo Technology. The new engine ensures a new dimension of
the linear power development characteristic of BMW M automobiles.
Moreover, it embodies the principle of technological advancement
within the framework of the BMW Group’s Efficient Dynamics
strategy. Compared to the fourth generation of the BMW M5’s
power unit, the newly developed engine has a significantly increased
output level, whilst at the same time lowering previous fuel
consumption and emission levels by at least 25 percent. With the new
eight-cylinder engine, big steps have been taken in the optimization
of drivetrain technology. A clear increase in power is accompanied by
a remarkable increase in efficiency. This demonstrates the
unparalleled effectiveness of this development strategy, which
originates from racing, where in addition to the engine’s
performance capabilities and reliability, as few fuel stops as
possible result in a decisive advantage.
The BMW Concept
M5’s engine power is transferred to the rear wheels by a
seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. This
double-clutch gearbox, which was specifically tuned to the new V8
engine’s performance characteristics, offers extremely fast gear
shifting, precise gear selection and a high degree of effectiveness
that further optimizes the vehicle’s efficiency. The combination
of the new engine with M Drivelogic is supplemented by an Auto Start
Stop function. When halting at road junctions or in a tailback, the
high-performance engine is temporarily switched off, thus avoiding
unnecessary fuel consumption during idling. To continue the journey it
is sufficient to release the footbrake and the V8 engine restarts
immediately.
M suspension technology, typical M innovation: active M
Differential
The suspension technology especially developed for
each model is an equally crucial constituent part of the well-balanced
overall concept of any M automobile. It is constructed using
comprehensive know-how obtained from years of racing and then tuned
during extensive tests carried out on the North Loop of the
Nürburgring. The result is an exclusive M suspension set up as
well as exceptionally effective and weight-optimized brakes, which
also remain stable even under the hard use that a place like the
Nürburgring demands.
In addition, the BMW Concept M5
features innovative rear differential technology also developed by BMW
M GmbH. The Active M Differential maximizes traction in cornering by
using targeted variation of locking torque between the right and left
drive wheels.
Active control of the multi-plate lock inside the
rear differential is highly accurate and fast. This ensures that wheel
spin is prevented even on slippery road surfaces and in the event of
differing friction coefficients between the right and left wheels, in
narrow bends or during sudden lane changes. Optimized traction thereby
facilitates the highest level of vehicle stability and dynamics during
acceleration out of bends even under the most demanding conditions.
BMW Concept M5 - the future of the high-performance sports car with
four doors and five seats.
The BMW Concept M5 embodies the vision
of a premium upper midrange sedan offering the highest degree of
comfort for up to five occupants and allowing the driver to follow the
ideal racing line both on the racetrack and in everyday road traffic.
The BMW Concept M5 combines outstanding performance resulting from
racing-inspired drive and suspension technology with typical M
aesthetics that authentically express the vehicle’s dynamic
potential. The concept car visualises the unmistakable characteristics
of a BMW M model, which mature from a harmonious overall concept in
which engine, suspension and design complement each other perfectly.
BMW M GmbH’s know-how gained from decades of experience and
constantly further developed under racing conditions manifests itself
in this combination. Innovative technology derived directly from motor
racing provides each new BMW model with unmatched high-performing
characteristics.
The BMW Concept M5 reflects a highly advanced
stage in the development of a high-performance vehicle based on the
new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The specific design features are directly
aligned to the technical requirements, the suspension technology is
precisely harmonized with the engine’s performance
characteristics. With this precisely defined development strategy, the
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