Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Welcome to the BMW Performance Center West – Thermal Club in Palm Springs, California for test driving of the all-new 2018 BMW M5 performance sedan. Utilizing BMW’s stalwart TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter 8-cylinder engine with two twin-scroll turbochargers, the rear-wheel biased AWD M5 rips 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds from 600-horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque available at 1,800 rpm. On the mountainous Cali roads the vehicle continuously threw us back into the 20-way power M seats upon acceleration while impressive M Carbon Ceramic Brakes ($8,500) with blue calipers and discs the size of manhole covers bring the M5 to abrupt stops. MSRP starts at $102,600 but our Alpine White exterior and Aragon Brown full Merino leather interior ($3,500) totaled $129,795. Top speed is set at189 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package.
The 6th generation M5 is remarkably civilized when driving on public roads and has the mannerisms of the standard 5 Series, yet when the time came to put the red M1 and M2 (turns off traction control) buttons to work on the circuit the vehicle’s demeanor changed into full bread racing material. BMW xDrive and the Active M Differential helps distribute sportiness and everyday practicality, the BMW M specially tuned chassis delivers sharper steering responses, the Adaptive M Sport Suspension lowers the vehicle when needed and the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, steering wheel paddle shifters and Launch Control offers quicker shifts and dynamic rev responses. M Drive, M Driving Dynamics Control and Dynamic Stability Control further enhances the overall performance of the Bavarian cyborg in addition to specially engineered Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires with longer tread life and premium touched finished sidewalls and rim protector.
Inside, the M cockpit can make you feel like either a jet fighter pilot or a stately gentlemen in route to the boardroom for meetings. Connected technology is no different than what is found in the 7 Series including the upgraded and impressive Bowers and Wilkins sound system ($3,400), Remote Services, Apple CarPlay, Gesture Control, Wifi Hotspot, Surround View with 3D View, and iDrive 6.0 with the 10.2” BMW navigation system screen.
Furthermore, our Bimmer’s physique was enhanced with the optional 20” M light alloy wheels ($1,300), aerodynamic mirrors, a carbon fiber roof, M rear spoiler, signature M gills, adaptive full LED headlights, rear diffuser, side skirts, M rear apron and the M sports exhaust system with quad tips. Trust me, the advanced capabilities of the new M5 definitely define it as the ultimate driving machine!
“The BMW M5 has always embodied the perfect blend of mature business sedan and high-performance components. So you can think of the BMW M5 as the world’s fastest-moving tailored suit.” These are the words chosen by Domagoj Dukec, Vice President of Design BMW i and BMW M, to sum up the brief for the all-new BMW M5.
