The all-new BMW M5 has just set a lap record for the fastest four-door production saloon, clocking a time of 2:22.828 minutes at the Formula 1 circuit on the outskirts of the Chinese metropolis at the hands of BMW works driver Bruno Spengler.
According to BMW, this was Spengler’s first appearance at the circuit, and the conditions were not ideal on the cold and damp track, yet the 2012 DTM champion smashed the previous record by five seconds, driving a a production model of the BMW M5 without any modifications for the racetrack.
“Besides power and torque, I suppose the secret of this car is its excellent balance,” said Spengler, whose DTM career includes 15 race wins and 48 podiums so far. “It’s very agile and responsive, and the increased traction with the four wheel drive makes this car very easy to drive. It is also lighter than the previous generation, which plays an important role on a track like this.”
Numerous innovative features like the newly designed M-specific four-wheel drive system M xDrive being employed in the BMW M5 for the first time make this saloon adept for both road and racetrack. At the heart of the BMW M5, is a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which has been extensively revised by M engineers. It delivers 441 kW/600 hp and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, offering a significant increase in performance vs. the predecessor models. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h with the new 8-speed Steptronic transmission featuring Drivelogic is just 3.4 seconds. The M-specific suspension helps optimise driving dynamics. Weight has been further reduced by the roof being made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic.
