BMW Group Thailand paves the way to Motor Show 2018 with the All-New BMW M5 – the high-performance executive sedan with M xDrive all-wheel drive
BMW Group Thailand is taking the luxury sedan experience for Thai motorists into a new territory with the launch of the All-New BMW M5 – featuring for the first time the new M xDrive all-wheel drive system – in an exclusive preview event that delivers the first glimpse of the car ahead of its official public debut in the 39th Bangkok International Motor Show 2018 on March 28 – April 8 at Challenger 1-3, Impact, Muang Thong Thani. This change of tack sees the All-New M5 exploring new dynamic dimensions and offering greater everyday practicality in all driving conditions while also delivering notably enhanced performance.
Mr. Stefan Teuchert, President, BMW Group Thailand, said, “The All-New BMW M5 brings together high-performance driving dynamics and everyday practicality to set the new benchmark. The sixth generation of the world’s most successful high-performance sedan is now equipped with M xDrive, providing both excitement in hot laps and elegance in everyday journeys. As the first new model launched this year by BMW Group Thailand, the All-New BMW M5 marks a very exciting start for us and signifies our intention to excite Thai motorists with many more phenomenal vehicles to come.”
Superior driving dynamics and ultimate control with M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system
The new M xDrive is the most emotionally engaging all-wheel- drive system yet to grace the high-performance segment. Unique to the All-New BMW M5, the M xDrive system enables a wonderfully fleet-footed rear-biased set-up by only bringing the front wheels into play when the rear wheels aren’t able to transmit any more power to the road and additional tractive force is required. Even when it is being driven in a particularly sporty manner and unleashing high levels of power, the All-New BMW M5 with M xDrive behaves predictably and can be controlled with ease by the driver, paving the way for an even richer experience of the business sedan’s extraordinary performance capabilities.
The system’s handling characteristics can be adjusted as desired with five different configurations to choose from based on combinations of the DSC modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD) for ideal performance on racetracks and highways alike. Another ingredient in the car’s supreme traction in all road and weather conditions is the Active M Differential at the rear axle, which also works fully variably and has a locking effect between 0 and 100 per cent.
Among the essential features for drivers with sporting aspirations are the two red-painted M1 and M2 buttons next to the gearshift paddles on the M multifunction steering wheel, which allow drivers to configure two individual set-ups for the All-New BMW M5. These include their choice of M xDrive, DSC, engine, transmission, damper and steering characteristics, as well as the appearance of M view in the Head-Up Display.
More powerful and more efficient: the newly improved turbocharged V8 engine
Providing ample power for the All-New BMW M5 is a 4.4-liter V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine develops 441 kW/600 hp at 5,600 – 6,700 rpm, while a monumental 750 Nm of torque is placed at the driver’s disposal from as low down as 1,800 rpm and remains there until 5,600 rpm. The car’s impressive performance figures speak for themselves: 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 11.1 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
This powerful engine is paired with a specially tuned 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which can provide the comfort and convenience of fully automatic gear changes while also providing the choice to switch to sequential manual shifts for lightning-fast shift times.
Making a statement with bold character designed for more than looks
The All-New BMW M5 includes revisions to its bodywork over the regular BMW 5 Series to satisfy its challenging dynamic brief. The M engineers have redesigned the broader front side panels and front bumper trim to include larger apertures for the air feeding the cooling systems and brakes. The exhaust system’s quartet of tailpipes are a visual pointer to the power generated by the All-New BMW M5 and also lay on a suitably sporting soundtrack for the job in hand, courtesy of their flap control system. The driver can use a button to adjust the engine sound as desired.
The All-New BMW M5 is fitted as standard with M compound brakes with blue painted six-piston brake callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear. Being significantly lighter than conventional cast iron items, these have the distinct benefit of reducing unsprung mass. Even with M xDrive, the All-New BMW M5 weighs less than its predecessor.
The bonnet, which also has an M-specific design, is made from aluminium and boasts eye-catching sculpture lines. These extend into the extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof – a standard feature of the All-New BMW M5. The weight savings contributed by the CFRP roof and other components such as the exhaust system help to ensure the All-New BMW M5 – even with the addition of M xDrive all-wheel drive – is lighter than its predecessor, ultimately delivering the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.
The driver-focused cockpit of the All-New BMW M5 now has an even clearer layout courtesy of the lowered instrument panel with freestanding Control Display, while the projection area of the car’s Head-Up Display has increased in size by around 70 per cent.
The All-New BMW M5 comes as standard with 20-inch Double-spoke M light alloy wheels. Standard specification for the All-New BMW M5 also features Merino leather and M seats with electric adjustment and M leather steering wheel, as well as state-of-the-art communication technologies – including BMW gesture control and telephony wireless charging.
The All-New BMW M5 is priced at 13,339,000 THB with BSI Standard package, providing 3 years/60,000 km.of maintenance and 3 years/unlimited mileage of warranty and will be available for booking in the Bangkok International Motor Show 2018.
