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.
