He BMW M5 has been on the market since 1984. We are talking about a model that today has seven generations behind it, with an evolution parallel to that of the history of the BMW 5 Series and which has always been a reference in its segment, as a high-performance sedan that offers sportiness and driving comfort in equal parts.
There are plenty of sports cars with very high power levels, but few that can be as elegant and usable on a daily basis as the BMW M5. It is worth remembering the predecessors of the car that determined what this model is today.
BMW M5 (E28S). 1984
The M535i was already the sportiest version of the 5 Series (E12) back in 1979. This version continued to exist with the evolution of the model in 1984 (E28). What few expected was that it would go even further with the first BMW M5 (E28S) in autumn 1984.
Powered by a 3.5-liter, inline six-cylinder engine and 286 HP of power. This model went from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 245 km/h. Thanks to these figures, the BMW M5 E28S became the fastest series-produced four-door saloon in history.
BMW M5 (E34S, E34/5S). 1988
The second evolution of the BMW M5 incorporated a 3.6-litre inline six-cylinder engine block that developed 315 HP (235 kW) in its first phase by BMW Motorsport GmbH, which allowed it to exceed 250 km/h for the first time.
The model was updated in 1992 (with internal code E34/5S) and the opportunity was taken to increase the engine displacement to 3.8 liters and deliver 340 HP (254 kW) of power. From that date on, it was also offered with a station wagon body style… although only 900 units of the first BMW M5 Touring were built, making it a highly sought-after classic today.
BMW M5 (E39S). 1998
Ten years had to pass until BMW presented the third generation of the BMW M5, a model that shared the same genes as its predecessors but, unlike them, incorporated a powerful 5-litre V8 engine.
The propulsion system of this M5, made by the renamed BMW M GmbH, produced 400 HP of power (299 kW) and 500 Nm of torque delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox – superb figures for the time. It completed the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.
BMW M5 (E60/E61). 2005
In its fourth generation, the BMW M5 offered the largest engine in its history: a 5.0-litre V10 block that produced 507 hp (378 kW), an engine that came from the brand’s Formula 1 single-seater (FW27).
With this drive system, the E60 reached 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds with a new Launch Control system. In addition, with the M Driver’s package the speed limiter was deactivated and it could reach a top speed of 305 km/h. New features include the seven-speed M Sequential Automatic Transmission (SMG) and a Touring version (E61) again from 2007, coinciding with the facelift.
BMW M5 (F10M). 2011
The fifth-generation BMW M5 based on the 2010 5 Series replaced its predecessor’s V10 engine with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that developed 560 HP (417 kW) and 680 Nm of torque, almost double what was offered by the first M5 that debuted in 1984.
With M TwinPower Turbo technology and a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reached a top speed of 315 km/h. With the facelift of the 2013 BMW 5 Series came the Comeptition Package for the M5, which allowed it to reach 575 HP (423 kW) of power. In 2014, the special edition 30 Jahre M5 arrived, limited to 300 units, with 600 HP of power (441 kW) which paid homage to the original BMW M5 E28S. Sales of the same special edition began in 2016. M5 Competition Edition limited to 200 units, with 441 kW (600 hp) of power.
BMW M5 F90 (2017)
The sixth generation BMW M5, based on the 2017 BMW 5 Series, repeated the twin-turbo V8 formula of its predecessor, but this time its power is increased to 600 HP and 750 Nm of torque A figure that made it a true killer of supercars that also introduced an all-wheel drive system for the first time in its history: it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (self-limiting).
Even more powerful versions arrived later. First the M5 Competition, with 625 HP of power, which reduced to 3.3 seconds in the 0 to 100 and a top speed of 305 km/h. The sportiest was the M5 CS, which came to the market with the update of the 2021 BMW 5 Series. It delivered 635 HP and accelerated from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
BMW M5 (G90/G99). 2024
The seventh-generation BMW M5 is based on the 2024 BMW 5 Series and debuts the M HYBRID powertrain that delivers 727 HP of power maximum power (535 kW) and a maximum system torque of 1,000 Nm. It combines a combustion engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, 585 hp (430 kW) with an electric motor of 190 hp (145 kW).
We have already thoroughly broken down all the technical details of this 2024 M5, as well as the new BMW M5 Touring, with which it shares technology and celebrates 40 years of BMW M GmbH in the executive sedan segment.
