The five-seat M5 is BMW’s high-performance variant of the 5 Series sedan, and it returns for 2013 following a brief absence from the U.S. market. It’s powered by a new twin-turbo V-8 engine that makes a whopping 560 horsepower and 500 pounds-feet of torque. Offered with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the 2013 M5 will sprint to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds, according to BMW. Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and Cadillac CTS-V sport sedans. Exterior The M5 shares the same architecture as the regular 5 Series sedan but gets M-specific styling cues, including aggressive front-bumper styling with large air intakes, side skirts, side vents on the front fenders, and a revised rear bumper with quad exhaust tips. Exterior features include:
Standard 19-inch wheels; 20-inch wheels optional
Adaptive xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps
Rear spoiler
M blue-painted brake calipers; carbon-ceramic brake system optional
Power tilt/sliding moonroof
Optional power trunk lid
Optional soft-close doors
Interior Themes of luxury and sportiness merge on the inside of the M5, with standard features like M multicontour seats with Merino leather upholstery, aluminum trim and a 10.2-inch screen for the iDrive and navigation systems. Interior features include:
Heated front seats; available ventilated seats
Available Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with accessory controls
Available heated rear seats and steering wheel
Available rear-seat entertainment system
Under the Hood The rear-wheel-drive M5 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 that makes 560 hp and 500 pounds-feet of torque. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mechanic features include:
Active M rear differential
Adjustable dampers with three modes
Adjustable steering effort
Launch control on models with the dual-clutch transmission
Fuel-saving auto stop-start technology and regenerative braking
Safety Standard safety features include antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, traction control, front-seat side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, parking sensors and a backup camera. Optional safety features include:
Night vision with pedestrian detection
Driver Assistance Package features lane departure warning, blind spot warning and additional cameras for enhanced visibility
