New M5

[Gus 5]

BMW M5: Count To Ten

- By Richard Bosselman

Vying to become the most powerful sedan in the world. The latest BMW

M5 promises to be a wonderful statement of high German technology,

but whether it has the goods to out-gun its immediate rivals remains

to be seen.

Revealed overnight at this year's Geneva motor show to an eager

audience, the M5 is still officially a concept, though no-one doubts

that the production version set for release in the latter part of

this year will look any different.

The Geneva car confirms rumours that the production M5 will be

powered by a stonking naturally aspirated V10 engine.

BMW's M Division claims the engine, the first V10 in the mega-

performance sedan field, will to make 368kW and "at least" 500Nm. Is

that enough? BMW's direct rivals, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, currently

prefer V8 engines, either supercharged (AMG E55) or twin-turbocharged

(Audi RS6) and could hardly be accused of shortchanging their

clientele already. The E55 AMG touts 368kW and 700Nm while the RS6

makes 331kW and 560Nm.

Munich is claiming the best power-to-weight ratio and, though still

slightly coy about actual performance, the M-Division envisages it

accelerating from 0-100kmh in well under 5 seconds and hitting 200kmh

mark in just 13 seconds.

The 5.0-litre's design is derived from the firm's own Formula-One

technology. Valvetronic, four valves per cylinder as well as a

redline that's set at 9000rpm will ensure that this engine is a

thriller.

The 10-pot incorporates typical features such as high-pressure VANOS,

individual throttle butterflies, specialized engine electronics and a

traverse force-regulated oil supply.

BMW will offer this new engine with two transmissions, a six-speed

manual transmission, and a seven-speed SMG II sequential gearbox, the

brand's first.

Other applications? There's talk the V10 will also be used in the

upcoming M6, but not the next-generation M3, which instead will take

a shortened V8 engine.

The M5 has uprated brakes and runs 19-inch wheels with specially

designed, extra wide tyres: 285/35 up front and 255/40 at the back.

It also gets a newly designed Servotronic steering system.

As you'd hope, the modest but eye-catching looks of the regular 5-

Series have been altered by visual upgrades to make it clear that

this is the kingpin model.

To show that this is 5 has much more potential than any other, a

deep, flowing front valance that's backed in mesh has been installed.

The more muscular front end flows up through the grille before being

smoothly integrated into the car's nose. Side, and rear skirts are

also added. A slight rear spoiler, large alloy wheels and the

trademark four tip exhaust pipe layout all compliment the rear end.

Meantime, BMW-owned Rolls-Royce has also unveiled a 'concept' car - a

swank four-seater convertible - though it insists the 100EX is never

going to be seen in a showroom.

Rather, the car was designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of

the marque, on May 4. It will appear at various events throughout

2004 to help mark the centenary. However, Rolls-Royce did say that it

was possible that in the future, elements of the technology featured

on the 100EX could be developed for new Rolls' projects.

The experimental model follows in a tradition of EX cars which dates

back to 1919 when the 1EX was produced by Rolls-Royce. EX cars were

produced for nearly 40 years more, ending with the 45EX in 1958.

Based on a lightweight aluminium spaceframe, 100EX's most notable

feature is the rear-hinged 'suicide' front doors (dubbed 'coach

doors') that safety regulations would probably rule out for road use.

A polished aluminium waist rail surrounds the passenger compartment,

set off against dark curzon paintwork. Those rear-hinged doors are

said to give 'exceptional' access to the rear seat.

The bonnet and windscreen surround have both been milled from solid

blocks of aluminium before being hand polished and the traditional

silver lady mascot sits atop the grille.

Bleached teak decking is used on the exterior and interior, notably

on the tonneau cover, in the boot and in place of carpeting in the

passenger cabin. "The overall impression is intended to be of an

elegant motor yacht at speed", said R-R's chief stylist Marek

Djordjevic.

The rear of the car tapers into a boat-tail style and features

a 'countryman' boot, split to give a separate lower tailgate which,

when down, provides a completely flat surface, ideal for picnics or

as an elevated platform with its inlaid fibre matting.

Suspension and steering geometry are shared with the new Phantom:

double wishbone front and multi-link rear axles, with air springs,

and rack and pinion steering though it is shorter by 165 mm (6.5 in)

and 71 mm (3 in) lower. The 100EX rides on 21-inch wheels finished in

meteor silver.

Power is from a 9.0-litre V16, 64-valve naturally aspirated engine.

No outputs or performance claims are made.

Hosting 262 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, the Geneva show

is displaying 924 makes and more than 70 world or European premieres

in the passenger car sector alone.

The annual exhibition anticipates 700,000 visitors, 300,000 from

foreign countries.

[Guest Speedye30]

Yeah yeah yeah... But what does it look like?

Well:

[Guest Spargo]

Both that and the new roller are H O T

[shadowninja 0]

Give me two new M5's over a Roller any day of the week.

... or maybe an M5, an M3 and an 330 convertible (and spend the rest on an ultra-expensive holiday).

$800,000 just shouldn't be spent on a car, not even a Rolls.

[Guest hizza bizza]

$800,000 just shouldn't be spent on a car, not even a Rolls.

Unless of cousre you happen to be a badass gangsta rappa........

[Dnz 0]

Its hotness.

However, any clue why it hasnt got any kind of spoiler/lipspoiler?

Must have enough downforce already?

[37 South 6]

Braucht keinen, nicht notwendig.

Doesn`t need one , not neccesary.

( a lot easier to wash and polish as well.)

Edited March 5, 2004 by 37 South

[Dnz 0]

Hmm.. Ist aber ein bisschen gross.. oder fett.. Leider kein foto von hinten!

[shadowninja 0]

$800,000 just shouldn't be spent on a car, not even a Rolls.

Unless of cousre you happen to be a badass gangsta rappa........

Nothing worse than a hyped up rapper driving a nice car. They don't seem to know how to drive over 20kph (too many homeys in the back anyway).

[Dnz 0]

hahaha

2 words for you

fo shizzle

hahah

[37 South 6]

Hmm.. Ist aber ein bisschen gross.. oder fett.. Leider kein foto von hinten!

Hi DNZ, like to see a `Foto` of your new car.

[Dnz 0]

Im gonna try and get a photo this coming week, once ive given it a solid waxing, and then take it somewhere photoworthy.. (DAMN YOU WEATHER!)

[Guest Andrew]

Its hotness.

However, any clue why it hasnt got any kind of spoiler/lipspoiler?

Must have enough downforce already?

most spoilers don't produce downforce - they spoil the airflow to stop a laminar flow which creates drag - I imagine the M5 has some pretty hardcore engineering in its lines and doesn't really need a spolier. The BMW underbody aerodynamics parts provide a lot of downforce.