How the BMW M5 got to where it is

A far cry from the everyman hero that was the first-generation M5, the seventh-generation G90 M5 is a tech-heavy, modern-day supercar slayer but this wasn’t always the case…

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The all-new seventh-generation BMW M5 has now made landfall and it continues the tradition that started with the original to wear the nameplate; the E28. In some performance testing, the highly electrified sedan dispatches the obligatory standstill to 100km/h sprint in 3.52 seconds, onwards to 200km/h from standstill in 10.63 seconds and eventually up to 250km/h in an astounding 16.85 seconds. In terms of race distances, it can manage 400m in 11.30 seconds and the 1 000m in 20.25 seconds, anything longer will see the driver experience the 305km/h limit.

BMW M5 fast facts

• Price: R2 690 000
• Power: 535kW
• Torque: 1 000N.m
• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
• Rivals: Porsche Panamera Turbo e-hybrid, Mercedes-AMG GT63 SE

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E28 M5

The E28 M5 single-handedly kicked off the super sedan segment. It looked especially pedestrian without the body kit but could slaughter the best sportscars of the day thanks to an engine that originated from the stunning M1.

• Engine: 3.5l, naturally aspirated straight-six
• Power/Torque: 210kW/340N.m
• 0-100km/h: 6.75 seconds
• Top speed: 250km/h

E34 M5

Larger and heavier, but far more luxurious, the E34 featured the iconic M System wheels with fins that aided brake cooling and M System II ‘throwing stars’. The engine was later upgraded to a 3.8l unit.

• Engine: 3.5l, naturally aspirated straight-six,
• Power/Torque: 232kW/360N.m
• 0-100km/h: 6.72 seconds
• Top speed: 254km/h

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E39 M5

For many, the E39 was where the M5 reached its peak and introduced the quad exhaust array that’s since become synonymous with BMW M. It was also the last manual M5 available in SA.

• Engine: 5l, naturally aspirated V8
• Power/Torque: 294kW/500N.m
• 0-100km/h: 5.64 seconds
• Top speed: 254km/h

E60 M5

The E60 M5 announced its presence with dramatically flared arches, shiny vents, massive multi-spoke wheels and a wailing V10 gleaned from BMW’s Formula One programme. The SMG automated manual transmission was rather clunky, though.

• Engine: 5l, naturally aspirated V10
• Power/Torque: 373kW/520N.m
• 0-100km/h: 4.64 seconds
• Top speed: 261km/h

F10 M5

A return to subtler looks, but a massive departure in powertrain as this was the first M5 to use a turbocharged engine and a dual-clutch transmission. Performance was formidable, but some bemoaned the car’s subdued soundtrack.

• Engine: 4.4l, turbocharged V8
• Power/Torque: 412kW/680N.m
• 0-100km/h: 4.10 seconds
• Top speed: 250km/h

F90 M5

With even more power than its predecessor thanks to an updated version of the twin-turbo S63 V8, the call was made by BMW M to adopt all-wheel drive with the F90 M5 and use a regular automatic transmission.

• Engine: 4.4l, turbocharged V8
• Power/Torque: 441kW/750N.m
• 0-100km/h: 3.43 seconds
• Top speed: 250km/h

Determining which is the best would be hard to do!

Find the full feature in the January issue of CAR Magazine.

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