Nineteen (19) inch wheels
Seven speed SMG transmission
MS S65 engine management system
Active Aluminum suspension
biVANOS – variable valve timing
507 horsepower 90 degree V10
8250 rpm redline
Well, if you were like most mortal automotive enthusiasts, this all-star laundry list of standard options would conjure up images of a cutting-edge racecar. Maybe something new in the NASCAR or American LeMans series? Or possibly a fire-breathing prototype developed by some performance-minded tuner?
Guess again.
2005 BMW M5 (E60)
All this equipment (and more) also accompanies four doors, legitimate room for four adults, a trunk, air conditioning, and likely all the electronic gadgetry of a Bill Gates' bathroom wrapped up in the unassuming package and called the 2005 BMW M5. Hitting showrooms in the late spring, this wolf in sheep's clothing is the German equivalent of shoehorning a Hemi into a Neon.
Looking back only one version, the (E39) M5 was the first "M car" to be powered by the traditional BMW V8 and cracked the 400 horsepower barrier, which remains preposterous for a four-door sedan even today. It seems the horsepower wars continue, though the current battle has moved to a slightly different front. While other manufacturers have also entered this niche (see Audi RS6 – 450 hp/MB E55 AMG – 476 hp), BMW again seems poised to take the game to the next level.
M cars from BMW have always been about breaking some unwritten rules, and it seems the trend now continues in crossing some psychological limits (507 hp, 100hp/liter, sub 5sec. 0 to 60, 200 mph top speed…just to name a few). True to "M" tuning tradition, this car will have and do everything the standard sedans will do, just magnified by several times. The central command center for this fourth generation M5, dubbed "mDrive" will hopefully be everything the current 7-series iDrive system is not. Though credible data regarding the car's performance capabilities and equipment has been scarce to date, it does sound like the car will reach 100 kph (62 mph) in under five seconds and while electronically limited to 255 kph (155 mph), many say the car is theoretically capable of over 320 kph (200 mph).
So where will it end? Who knows; I, for one, didn't realize we had a need in this country for transporting clients or the wife and kids at formula one speeds in the first place. But one thing is for certain: now that sedans are as fast (or faster) than any sports-minded car on the road, it's definitely possible to have your cake and race it too.
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