Limited edition BMW M5 CS is a potent track weapon

Nothing prepares you for the first up-close, heart-pounding meeting with a regular BMW M5. The savagery of its power becomes even more preposterous when you realize it’s actually a family sedan.

The newly launched BMW M5 CS is an even sportier model that becomes the top model in the range.

BMW has played its most daring move to convert the M5 from a fast and large saloon into a track toy.

The transformation of BMW M5 CS

The transformation begins with a lightweight design that shaves 70kg from the donor bones of the M5 Competition.

The bonnet, front splitter, exterior mirror caps, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, M Power engine compartment cover and intake silencer are all made of lightweight carbon fibre.

Then there’s the tweaking of bearing springs and dampers at the front and rear axles.

There are standard fitment of mixed-size Pirelli P Zero Corsa 275/35 R20 tyres in front and 285/35 R20 at the rear. 

M Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted standard with red or optional gold-painted brake callipers behind standard 20-inch gold alloys.

It retains the 4.4l twin-turbo V8 engine that breathes through a sports exhaust system with four tailpipes. This pumps out 467kW, representing a 7kW increase over the M5 Competition.

Power

The power is managed through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and feeding the M xDrive, all-wheel-drive system. This is adjustable with a 2WD mode for pure rear-wheel drive.

According to BMW, the M5 CS sprints from 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, trimming 0.3 and 0.2 seconds, respectively, off the times of the M5 Competition and the M8 Coupé Competition. This makes it the fastest-accelerating series BMW thus far. Top speed remains electronically governed at 305 km/h.

The interior of BMW M5 CS

The M5 CS also has a unique interior, fitted with the thin, heavily bolstered M Carbon seats first seen in the new M3 and M4.

Rear passengers also get individual seats with the same aggressive support.

The pews are covered in black Merino leather with contrasting panels and Mugello red stitching. The head restraints get illuminated M5 logos for the front pair and a faint outline of the Nürburgring circuit.

A red centre marker on the Alcantara steering wheel, carbon fibre gearshift paddles, red “CS” badges on the instrument. The illuminated M5 CS badges on both the driver and passenger door sills drive home the sporting ambience of the cabin.

Further physical differentiators of the BMW M5 CS from its lesser cousins include a specific kidney grille with a gold-bronze surround.

There are also M5 CS badges on the kidney grille and M gills and boot lid finished in the same bronze shade.

BMW laser headlights that illuminate yellow instead of white are additional special features of the CS. This is available in Brands Hatch Grey metallic and Frozen Deep Green metallic.

The M5 CS will arrive in SA during the third quarter of 2021, with five units allocated for this market. Pricing is yet to be announced.

For more information visit www.bmw.com.bn.