The 2018 BMW M5 is here, sending 600 hp to all four wheels

[MoSSaN69]

A new super sedan from Bavaria is upon is in the form of the 2018 BMW M5. Yes, it has all-wheel drive, but it also goes 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. Now that’s a fast four-door.
Digging deeper into the all-wheel drive system should quell most enthusiasts’ fears: A simple flip of a switch turns the M5 into the rear-drive-only car it was meant to be. We’re guessing leaving it in all-wheel drive would yield the best acceleration times even if it isn’t quite as fun. It’s good to hear the new M xDrive system is rear-biased though, so only when needed will the power be directed up to the front wheels. An M Dynamic mode will provide the most consistent and fast lap times while directing torque to all four wheels but still allowing a fair amount of rear wheel slip as well.

The new 2018 BMW M5 has all-wheel drive, the first M sedan to power more than the rear wheels.
The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from before gets overhauled for this F90 generation M5, now producing a staggering 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That twist is delivered as low as 1,800 rpm and as high as 5,700 rpm. BMW has hit the magical 600 number through new turbochargers delivering over 24 psi of boost. A new exhaust system featuring a Helmholtz resonator saves 11 pounds from before, while the amount of sound you actually hear is still controlled by an active flap. Something called an M Sound Control button allows “further acoustic customization” -- or in non-marketing terms: Artificial engine sound.
A torque converter 8-speed automatic transmission is the only option available. The software has been strictly tuned for high-performance duty and BMW promises “lightning-fast” gear changes.
Every suspension component from the normal 5-Series has been reworked for the M5, to make sure it feels like an M car should. The track width has been increased, stiffer anti-roll bars and more hardcore rubber mounts abound. A steel X-brace and aluminum transverse strut increase rear suspension rigidity, and plenty other braces and stiffeners combine to try and make this big sedan handle its weight -- all 4,254 pounds of it. Either 19- or 20-inch wheels are available, shod with 275 front and 285 rear width tires rated for the M5’s 189-mph top speed.

Edited August 21, 2017 by MoSSaN69

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