Frankfurt 2011: 2012 BMW M5 is “A Lot of Fun”

By now the 2012 BMW M5 is old news, but we still loved seeing the electric-blue sedan at BMW’s press conference in Frankfurt. Although our lust for the car stems from that fact that it packs a twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V-8, BMW executives today stressed the M5′s more rational sides.

BMW board member Klaus Draeger set the tone for the M5′s arrival by describing it as, “Ready for everyday use but with the character of a true sports car.” Draeger continued to point out that the new M5 is about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the outgoing car, even though the 2012 model makes about 10 percent more power (555 hp, 550 lb-ft of torque for American models). The M5 was even parked alongside BMW’s futuristic eco concepts, the i3 electric car and the i8 plug-in hybrid

Fortunately, all is not lost in the name of economy: “M cars are designed to be fun,” Draeger said, “And I guarantee, the new BMW M5 is a lot of fun.”

As is to prove that point of, the M5 was driven left the stage in a hurry, the exhaust growling and barking as the car accelerated into the recesses of BMW’s stage. We know the new M5 looks good and sounds good — now we just need to get some time behind the wheel.

automobilemag.com