The new BMW M5 CS has been officially revealed, positioned as the most powerful M car yet.
Billed as an “exclusive special-edition model”, BMW says a “limited number of units” will make their way to South Africa in the third quarter of 2021 [update: the head of BMW M in SA says just five examples have been set aside for the local market]. Interestingly, BMW SA also points out “data specific to the South African cars will be communicated closer to the time of local introduction”.
So, what do we know about the Euro-spec model? Well, with its twin-turbo 4,4-litre V8 petrol engine upgraded to direct a whopping 467 kW (up 7 kW on the M5 Competition) to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M5 CS is officially the brawniest vehicle to come out of the M stable. Peak torque, meanwhile, is unchanged at 750 N.m.
The Munich-based firm claims the M5 CS will sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3,0 seconds and from standstill to 200 km/h in 10,4 seconds (improvements over the M5 Competition of three-tenths and four-tenths, respectively). Top speed remains an electronically governed 305 km/h.
So, what else sets the M5 CS apart from the Competition-badged model model? Well, BMW says it has “rigorously applied” various weight savings measures, cutting some 70 kg of lard. In addition, retuned bearing springs at the front and rear (and “further refined” damper control) see the chassis “adapted” to the lower vehicle weight. Mixed-size Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres (275/35 R20 fore and 285/35 R20 aft), meanwhile, offer “increased performance potential”.
Items such as the grille surround, “M5 CS” badges and M gills are finished in Gold Bronze, a hue echoed on the 20‑inch M forged wheels in Y-spoke design. The L-shaped light tubes of the laser headlamps, meanwhile, illuminate yellow rather than white when low beam, high beam or the welcome light is activated.
The bonnet, front splitter, side-mirror caps, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, engine cover and intake silencer are all made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, with some elements featuring exposed carbon-fibre. Standard features include a stainless-steel sports exhaust system with four “unadorned” tailpipes and M Carbon ceramic brakes, with callipers painted in red as standard or gold as an option.
The M5 CS is a four- rather than full five-seater vehicle, featuring M Carbon pews up front and two individual items at the rear. The black Merino leather upholstery boasts contrasting panels and decorative stitching in Mugello Red, while the integral head restraints (which boast illuminated M5 logos up front) display an outline of the Nürburgring circuit.
The German automaker has also added a centre marker perforation with red background to the M Alcantara steering wheel, while the gearshift paddles are fashioned from carbon-fibre and the steering wheel spokes gain black chrome trim. A fixed lightweight cover on the centre console replaces the standard armrest with opening lid.
