Exterior Styling
While the BMW M5 can look like a normal family sedan to the naked eye, those with a keen eye will immediately notice the M badge on the rear of the car. They’ll also notice the enlarged air intakes in the front bumper and the M badging on the front side panels. In order to keep the vehicle’s weight down, BMW sculpted the hood from aluminum and the roof from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. This has helped reduce the weight of the M5 by over 50 pounds.
The M5 is decked in M badging; even the side mirrors have a unique design. There are also multiple M5-specific colors that your vehicle can come in, including the new Marina Bay Blue Metallic. Last but certainly not least, the 2018 M5 sports BMW’s classic hexagonal front grille, which is almost certainly going to be the first thing that catches your eye.
Engine Performance
Now we come to the moment you’ve been waiting for: revealing the information about the M5’s engine specs and performance chops. With its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, the M5 can push out an impressive 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That power is routed to all four wheels via BMW’s new xDrive system.
While the M5’s direct competitors are cars like the Lexus GS-F and Cadillac CTS-V, its new numbers put it in contention with the Audi R8, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and Nissan GT-R Nismo. The 600 horsepower mark is 40 horsepower more than the previous-generation M5, and it’s torque has increased by over 50. Although the 2018 M5 only comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, there is a manual mode that simulates shifting through the gear selector or paddle shifters. BMW has noted that their new transmission comes with Drivelogic, with offers three modes of shifting. Mode one is for efficient driving, mode two is for sporty driving, and mode three is for sporty driving on a race track.
While the engine specs seem impressive, it’s the performance times they produce that truly matter. BMW claims that the new M5 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and can go from a standstill to 124 mph in just over 11 seconds. With a top speed of 189 mph, the M5 is a force to be reckoned with.
Handling and Braking
We mentioned BMW’s new xDrive system earlier. What makes it unique is its ability to direct power to only the rear wheels when four-wheel drive is unnecessary. It also has three different modes: a normal four-wheel-drive mode is the standard set up; a four-wheel-drive sport mode offers precise steering, impressive traction, and agile handling; and finally there’s the rear-wheel-drive mode. The M5 also comes standard with dynamic stability control that only jumps in to stabilize the vehicle in extreme situations.
We know that the M5 can go fast, but what about trying to stop it? BMW offers standard 15.5-inch steel rotors to help stop the front wheels and 15-inch rotors for the rear wheels. The brakes have gold-colored calipers with the M logo, making them easy to recognize.
The standard tires on the M5 are 19-inchers, although 20-inch wheels are available. All wheels are rated to withstand the M5’s 189-mph top speed.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy numbers for the 2018 BMW M5 have not officially come out. The fifth-generation M5 typically got 15 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway, and the 2018 540i gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.
Seating
Leather upholstery comes standard, and both front seats are power-adjustable, heated, and have an adjustable upper-back support. The seats are racing-inspired, with thick side bolsters that keep the driver in place when cutting through turns. BMW also claims that their integral head restraints give the driver more shoulder support, and there is an illuminated M5 logo in the seats.
Interior Technology
When you step into the 2018 M5, you’ll be treated to an extremely driver-centric cockpit. There’s a large instrument cluster with M badging that can offer information such as the overall driving mode, Drivelogic transmission mode, and xDrive all-wheel-drive mode. The rpm gauge will even light up if you are using the manual mode to show the best time to shift. All of this data can also be viewed via a head-up display.
A central touch screen is the most prominent feature in the interior, and you can control it using hand gestures. Beyond that, we don’t know much about the M5’s infotainment system, but it should have a similar system to the current 5 Series. The 5 Series’ standard features include a 10.2-inch touch screen, a 12-speaker audio system, HD Radio, navigation, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system.
Driver Assistance Features
The BMW M5 has always been known for its performance chops, but there are also multiple driver assistance features offered. BMW has made all of the driver assistance features on the 2018 5 Series available on the new M5 as well. Those features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and BMW’s Active Protection System, which is able to detect an impending crash and automatically close the windows and moonroof, as well as tighten the front seat belts.
Pricing and Availability
Production of the 2018 M5 will begin shortly after the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, where the M5 will officially debut. That should translate to a release date of sometime early next year.
While no pricing data has been released, it’s not too much of a stretch to say the new M5 will be a bit more expensive than the previous generation. The 2016 M5 was priced at $94,100, so this new model could surpass the six-digit mark.
Competition
The 2018 M5 is expected to be a fan favorite in the extremely tough luxury midsize car class, going up against vehicles like the Audi S6, Lexus GS-F, Mercedes-AMG E43, and Cadillac CTS-V.
All four of those vehicles have proven on and off the track that they are forces to be reckoned with. The M5 will have more horsepower and torque than every one of those vehicles, minus the CTS-V.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you can’t wait for the 2018 M5, head over to our luxury midsize car rankings to see its competitors. If you’re looking to get a vehicle in your garage now, take a look at our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering. You can even compare cars in our new car rankings.
Once you’re ready to buy, be sure to use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area offering the lowest prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.
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BMW Brings the “M” Back
The BMW M5 has been around for over 30 years, and each generation has been drastically improved compared to the last. As the 2018 BMW M5 moves into its sixth generation, it undoubtedly continues the legacy of BMW’s performance brand. M5s of the past have been lauded for their innate ability to feel equally comfortable either on public roads or private tracks.
BMW has improved the M5’s engine, interior, and looks to deliver one of the most impressive performance sedans on the market. The new M5 is lighter, faster, and even comes standard with BMW’s new xDrive four-wheel drive system with rear-wheel-drive-only capability.
However, while many enthusiasts were hoping that BMW would bring back a manual transmission to the M family, the M5 only comes with an eight-speed automatic. On the bright side, the automatic does have a mode that can simulate shifting a manual.
Read on to find out what other changes BMW has brought to their iconic midsize performance sedan.