M5 [Official] BMW M5 (F90)

[Laurent T]

Any idea about the LCI release date ?

 

[Ali8Asad]

Any idea about the LCI release date ?

I think august or September as 2021 model

 

[donkeykong]

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

[/QUO...

The second car is the 4er GC right?

 

[donkeykong]

The second car is the 4er GC right?

It's either that or an I4. I can't say with absolute certainty.

 

[SCOTT27]

The second car is the 4er GC right?

Either a 4 or an i4. I am willing to bet i4 because the grille is sealed and they have a sheet of camouflage covering the grilles.

 

[advantage20]

Very weird 'cross-eyed' slat grille.

 

[hovabongZA]

[/QUO...

That front bumper does look like it will be different to the current one....can’t wait to see the M5CS.

Little disappointing that the actual shape and size of the headlights will remain the same as the current. Only the DRL are changed.

 

[manuelf]

Isn't it obvious, that it is an I4? It has an 'E' as last character in the number plate ... or would you rather expect they are already doing extensive tests with 4er GC plug-in hybrid? Meaning, that hybrid variants of the 4 series will also have an imminent market introduction?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

It has an 'E' as last character in the number plate

It could also be 'B'. Furthermore there is no sticker on the side of the car that this is an electric test vehicle. As far as I know it is obligatory when the car is an EV.

 

[Ali8Asad]

 

[MrRapp]

Curious how it will look once revealed. Current one has aged a bit on the nose since 3 and 8 series were introduced. I agree the second car is likely an i4, cladding on the grill is different from the regular 4. Pretty sure we will see dedicated spyshots on this one soon and then probably clips. Pretty sure these spots are for a large part orchestrated by the brand itself or does someone know a spy photographer who spends weeks in an expensive hotel up north waiting for an opportunity which may not come?

 

[manuelf]

It could also be 'B'. Furthermore there is no sticker on the side of the car that th...

What should a "B" mean after the numerical digits?
It is a german numberplate ... never saw a "B" at this position ...

 

[J.E]

I presume there will be a power bump and BMW will sort out the launch control?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

What should a "B" mean after the numerical digits?
It is a german numberplate ... never saw a...

Have you seen an 'E' at the end then?

 

[Matski]

Pretty sure these spots are for a large part orchestrated by the brand itself or does someone know a spy photographer who spends weeks in an expensive hotel up north waiting for an opportunity which may not come?

Arjeplog is probably fairly well trodden ground for spy photographers, the area's littered with suitable testing sites. Even if you didn't know where the cars were it wouldn't be too hard to spot them heading out into the wild from the major roads or the town.

It's something I'd love to do actually... hunting (with my camera) in the frozen north! I enjoyed doing it in Munich, although there you almost can't walk around the Milbertshofen area without tripping over test vehicles.

 

[manuelf]

Have you seen an 'E' at the end then?

Sure! All the BEV and PHEV here (region Munich) do have a trailing E on their numberplstes ...

 

[hovabongZA]

I suspect that the LCI M5 will have a similar bumper design to the X5M.

 

[SCOTT27]

Seems to be more definite action for the M5 in Mission:Impossible 7.

 

[nikola1984]

Verdict
Three extremely good, if imperfect, cars. Much of the fuss is around the new Audi RS6 and the less new but sensational BMW M5 Competition, but in many ways it’s the AMG that’s the truly astonishing machine.

It elevates the super saloon to a new level of driver focus, and does so with a cabin of spectacular opulence. The 4-Door 63 S’s handling, feel, performance and all-wheel-drive system – from total security to total hooligan in the blink of an eye – are all hugely appealing.

But this is also a super saloon that’s edging towards supercar money, and its hardcore focus has been achieved at the detriment of some comfort and refinement, which makes it tense to mooch about in. It’s also more cramped in the back that its rivals and I too frequently found myself fighting with the infotainment; I’d be least likely to buy the AMG.

It’s second place for the RS6. The best on test for daily comfort and practicality, arguably with the most desirable design and best-executed interior (bar the sometimes fiddly infotainment), and a chassis that manages to blend all-wheel-drive security with a huge spoonful of rear-biased driver focus.

That it has such a smooth, powerful, responsive and charismatic V8 only increases desirability. Ultimately the RS6’s rounded, secure nature makes it less exciting to drive than the others, but it’s highly involving and hard to fault as a package.

Which leaves the M5 spraying champers at the top of my podium, a car that strikes a sweet balance between the two poles of the Audi and the Mercedes. The Competition-spec upgrades have brought welcome extra tactility to the M5 chassis.

The V8 and eight-speed auto deliver flexible refinement with devastating performance. And it’s topped off by that seriously impressive M xDrive system, which seems to almost telepathically know whether you want to play it neat and tidy or send it like Ken Block.

I like the stealth factor of its exterior, the infotainment is the best here, the seats are just perfect and I’ll happily live with that firmer-edged ride given it’s so exciting to drive. That it’s the most frugal on fuel in this test and with the best APR rates only makes the decision easier.

One super-saloon/four-door coupe/estate car to do it all? My money’s on the M5 Competition.

Carmagazine.co.uk