Yesterday at the Auto Expo 2012, the launch of BMW M5 was done with superb martial arts display as BMW M5 sports saloon at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Like all previous M5s, the new car’s styling is subtle but aggressive in its details, most notably the lower air intakes – three gaping ducts to flow cool air into the radiator, oil cooler and turbochargers. 19-inch alloy wheels come as standard fitment.
Powered by a twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 that offers 552bhp and 69.4kgm of max torque, and the sports saloon can hit 100kph in 4.4 seconds, and 200kph in 13sec (manufacturer’s claims). The new M5 gets a power boost of 10 percent and torque figures are up by 30 percent compared to the previous-generation, V10-powered E60 M5.
The transmission is a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, which drives through a new Active M differential with electronically-controlled, multi-plate, limited-slip differential. Depending on the driving situation the diff can lock between 0 and 100 per cent, says BMW.
An M-specific chassis set-up includes M-tuned Servotronic steering, cockpit-adjustable dynamic damping and stability control with an ‘M Dynamic’ setting. Steering wheel buttons that can be programmed with chassis, engine and diff settings can now memorise two individual set-ups as compared to the single setting option on the earlier M Drive button.
The connected drive concept by BMW is the company’s version of a car, which communicates to your Smartphone. In future, BMW is aiming to develop car to car communiqué that enhances the safety of the car and further averts collision. The other big unveil was the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept. This car is a sleek low slung roadster that looks like a billion bucks. Looks aside, it is the technology that goes into this concept that makes it all the more special.
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept will actually sync to your smartphone and make your drive all the simpler by networking the car with your phone and your surroundings. Stuff like the car communicating with other cars to make the drive safer is a high point of the concept. While this car will be many more years away from a production reality, what BMW India has done is, it has given Indian auto expo showgoers a glimpse at the future.
Also see – BMW India to launch M5 sports saloon coming at 2012 Auto Expo
