BMW M5: an executive saloon with superpowers
The new BMW M5 drives like a sports car and has the performance of a supercar. Nicole Garcia Merida reports
The previous iteration of the BMW M5 has come and gone despite only being launched in early 2018, when BMW thought a 591bhp executive saloon “ought to be more than feisty enough for the majority of customers”, says Matt Saunders on AutoCar. “But, of course, it wasn’t.” When it comes to the modern luxury car market, more is always more. And so the “extra-hardcore” M5 Competition was born.
On the road, the M5 remains one of the most dynamically ambitious performance cars of its kind. It tries to be as “taut, agile and playful” as a sports car, but also as fast as a supercar. Importantly, it succeeds, and it does so “against that backdrop of high-speed stability and real-world touring comfort on which the lumpiest German autobahn specials have been trading for decades”. The eye-watering six-digit price tag risks making it out of reach of “people of remotely ordinary means”, but the lucky ones who drive it will quickly learn there’s no other car quite like it.
The latest M5 “remains a sports saloon with absurd composure”, adds Top Gear. It’s not an unruly hot rod, but rather a showpiece that cracks 0-62mph at supercar speed. It’s so quick, you’ll rarely be able to use full throttle for long. If you’re manually going through its eight gears, it’d be wise to tackle everything “a gear higher than your heart desires just to quell the warp speed” that slingshots you from the apex of each corner.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
It’s a car that will make an average driver feel like a pro, “and an experienced performance pilot a great deal faster behind the wheel”, says Trevor Hofmann on Hot Cars. It is luxurious inside too. The cabin features a top-of-the-line 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system, personalised driving modes, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The charcoal black leather, glossy carbon fibre and “dazzling metal brightwork” results in a sumptuous blend of style and quality.
The regular M5 was already highly rated, says Car magazine, but this version adds more drama and finesse, and “more outright muscle to make it even better”. The quickest M5 ever is also now the most comfortable M5 ever, says Top Gear. Indeed, it may be “the most complete super saloon of them all”.
Price: £100,850 Engine: 4,395cc, V8, turbocharged, petrol Top speed: 190mph 0-62mph: 3.3 seconds Power: 616bhp Torque: 553 lb ft
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Nic studied for a BA in journalism at Cardiff University, and has an MA in magazine journalism from City University. She joined MoneyWeek in 2019.
-
Will a Santa Rally bring festive cheer to investor portfolios this year?
Investors will be hoping for a seasonal stock market boost in December
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
ChatGPT turns two: how has it impacted markets?
Two years on from ChatGPT’s explosive launch into the public sphere, we assess the impact that it has had on stock markets and the world of technology
By Dan McEvoy Published
-
Global car shares slide amid lower demand in China – what happens now?
Has the car sector run into trouble? Britain’s Aston Martin and Germany’s Volkswagen are among the key automobile brands that have issued profit warnings.
By Alex Rankine Published
-
Volkswagen mulls closure of German factories
Why is Volkswagen considering the closures and how is the carmaker performing?
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
Is China winning the electric car race?
China now sells more electric cars than conventional ones within its territory. Western countries seem determined to stop them from crossing their borders. Why?
By Simon Wilson Published
-
Val d’Isère is a valley of delights
MoneyWeek Travel Matthew Partridge reviews Airelles Val d’Isere and Hotel Mont-Blanc in the famous French ski resort
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
Review: The Ozen Collection – a dream stay in the Maldives
MoneyWeek Travel Ozen Life Maadhoo and Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, where luxury meets nature, are almost too good to be true, says Nicole García Mérida.
By Nicole García Mérida Published
-
Review: An odyssey through Sri Lanka
MoneyWeek Travel Merryn Somerset Webb explores the South Asian country’s ruins, jungle and fabulous food.
By Merryn Somerset Webb Published
-
Flexjet review: the only way to fly
MoneyWeek Travel Chris Carter flies with Flexjet, a provider of fractional ownership of private jets, to St Moritz in Switzerland for the Snow Polo World Cup.
By Chris Carter Published
-
South American nature holidays – take a walk on the wild side
Travel We find holidays in South America where you can explore nature in all its diversity.
By Chris Carter Published