I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the new BMW M5 last week at Kyalami race track in Johannesburg. Maybe I shouldn’t put it out there, but I will because, well what’s the point in a dishonest website I say? I have never been BMW’s number one fan, far from it in fact. I don’t dislike them, but I have never yearned to own one. The husband, on the other hand, is right up there with screaming girls at a Justin Bieber concert. There is not one BMW he does not love.
But back to the M5. I might not be all about that base BMW but, as a professional motoring journalist (she says as she thinks to herself, “ya right”), I know a good product when I experience one. And the new BMW M5 is certainly that!
Just to reiterate, it is new, new, new! Not “the-grille-and-front-bumper-were-slightly-revised” new, but actually brand spanking new. It is based on the platform of the 5 Series and is now the fastest of all the M5s built since 1984. This is thanks not only to it now being much lighter, but also due to the latest and most advanced version of the 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology that sits under the bonnet. It produces a hefty 441 kW and a whopping 750 Nm of torque which means this twin-turbo V8 unit gets you to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
I didn’t get to spend too much time in this new M5, I only got 6 laps around the race track. Kyalami is a rather technical track, but having driven it numerous times before I felt quite confident. Until I took the first corner and realised very quickly that this was going to require more concentration than I had anticipated. I was, after all, in a 2-tonne sedan. As much as I want to say it thrilled, I was left a little underwhelmed. This might also be due to having an instructor, with massive street cred, watching your every move. But actually, it is probably due to the almost effortless driving. This car is comfortable, it is smooth and it gets up to speed very, very quickly. It might not be as engaging as I wanted, but that doesn’t mean it is no fun at all. I want to say it handles really well for its size, but that’s like saying, “She drives really well, for a woman,” so instead I will say flatly that it handles superbly!
It might be one of the fastest sedans on offer, but sadly, most people won’t get to legally experience what this car can really do. But maybe it is just in the knowing that counts? Either way, owners will be living with a very comfortable, very quick performance sedan that boasts the badge so many adore (here’s looking at the husband).
Pricing starts at R1 762 806. For more technical info, you might need to head to another website 😉 Or you could just go to BMW’s website.
Check out my ridiculously amateur video of the day.
