The M5 is the high-performance version of the BMW 5-Series sedan which was redesigned for 2006 after a two year hiatus. When the M5 returned to the lineup it was powered by a 500-horsepower V10 engine mated to a seven-speed sequential-manual ...
The M5 is the high-performance version of the BMW 5-Series sedan which was redesigned for 2006 after a two year hiatus. When the M5 returned to the lineup it was powered by a 500-horsepower V10 engine mated to a seven-speed sequential-manual gearbox (SMG). Beginning with the founding of BMW, M has always stood for Motoren—German for engines, and now also stands for BMW's specialized motorsports group responsible for developing high-performance cars. The BMW M group began with the limited-production mid-engine M1 in 1978 and in 1988 the first M5 was built, powered by a 256-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine. The M5 returned for a three-year run in 1991, powered by a 310-horsepower 6-cylinder. A new M5 debuted as a 2000 model and continued through the 2003 model year, powered by a 394-horsepower 4.9-liter V8 engine. On hiatus again since 2010, the 2013 M5 returns, now sporting a twin-turbo V8.
