BMW M GmbH unveils a limited production M5 to commemorate three and a half decades of exhilarating 4-door performance sedans. Based on the current M5 Competition, the most powerful and most capable M5 ever produced, the 2020 M5 Edition 35 Years will be limited to 350 units globally. The U.S. spec cars will be produced in September and October of this year and feature exclusive BMW Individual exterior and interior appointments.
The Edition 35 Year Package
In celebration of a class of track capable sport sedans, created when at customers’ requests, BMW M GmbH installed the inline 6-cylinder motor from the mid-engine M1 into the 5 Series, the M5 Edition 35 Years offers a unique and carefully orchestrated package of BMW Individual equipment combined with the supercar performance capabilities of the M5 Competition.
The exterior of this limited production model is finished in BMW Individual Frozen Dark Grey II metallic paint with a special pigmentation to create the appearance of a silk matte surface finish. The 20 inch M light alloy Y-spoke design wheels, finished in Graphite Grey are exclusive to this model. The M compound brake system calipers are finished in high-gloss black, another visible feature unique to the M5 Edition 35 Years. Badge deletion from the trunk finishes off the exterior in an elegant and understated way.
In the interior, the driver and passengers are greeted with M Sport seats finished in BMW Individual Merino black full leather with contrasting beige stitching. The center console, door trim sections and instrument panel area are finished in a shimmering, gold anodized aluminium carbon structure, another exclusive to the M5 Edition 35 Years model. Door sill plates and the center console door bear the engraving; “M5 Edition 35 Jahre”.
Standard features and packages
The BMW M5 Edition 35 Years includes, as standard, the following optional M5 packages:
Executive Package: includes soft-close automatic doors, power rear sunshade & rear side window shades, front ventilated seats, Front and Rear heated seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, Front messaging seats, Parking Assistant Plus, Wireless charging, Enhanced USB & Bluetooth, Active Park Distance Control and Surround View with 3D view camera system.
M Driver’s Package: raises electronic speed limiter from 155 to 189 mph and includes a voucher for an M Driver’s School at a BMW Performance Center in either Spartanburg, SC or in Thermal, CA.
The 2020 M5 Edition 35 years also receives the newest Live Cockpit Professional with the BMW iDrive 7 operating system. The latest-generation of the iDrive comprises a high-resolution digital 12.3” instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25” center display diagonally across. The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls on the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, stunning visualizations, and the largest displays in a BMW yet. This latest system perfectly blends the strengths of previous iDrive concepts with the modern ways in which people expect to interface with their popular electronic devices. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing.
To maximize the capabilities of the large 12.3” digital instrument cluster, the traditional circular gauges have been finessed into an all-new design pushing the speedometer and tachometer gauges to the outer edges of the display as geometric bands. This new design opens space in the middle for routing and navigation. Information from the center display can also be shown within the tachometer.
The Heart of M
The emotion-packed driving experience that defines the BMW M5 Edition 35 Years stems from its high-revving, M TwinPower Turbocharged 4.4L V8. Generating 617 hp at 6,000 rpm, with a peak torque delivery of 553 lb-ft. between 1,800 and 5,860. The limited production sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, with 124 mph reached in 10.8 seconds – 0.3 seconds quicker than in the standard BMW M5. The engine mounts supporting the more powerful V8 are also 55% stiffer over their counterparts found in the standard M5, improving power transfer throughout the driveline.
M Sport exhaust system.
The 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years comes equipped with a flap-controlled, twin-pipe M Sport exhaust system which produces an extremely distinctive tone – especially when the engine is pushed hard and at high revs. The acoustic profile can be changed by selecting the various drive modes while the M Sport exhaust system itself makes a great visual impression, thanks to the black chrome finish of the tailpipes.
Power transfer via eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive.
The task of transferring the engine power to the wheels is handled by the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Incredibly short shift times and swift, precise responses to every nudge of the accelerator ensure that the engine’s capabilities are instantly translated into action.
Three different modes offering a choice of efficient, sporty or ultra-high performance driving can be activated using the Drivelogic rocker switch on the gear selector. Manual gear selections are possible with either the selector lever or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
A specially designed transmission oil cooler keeps the transmission operating within the desired temperature range, even when the car is being pushed to the limit on the track.
The M xDrive system’s intelligent all-wheel-drive technology is capable of directing all of the BMW M5 Edition 35 Year’s power and torque to the road in and generating just enough extra traction to achieve acceleration times worthy of a super-sports car.
The centrally controlled interaction between M xDrive and the Active M Differential is responsible for channeling the engine’s output to the car’s wheels without any loss of power en route. The engine’s torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels by the transfer case’s fully variable, electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, before the Active M Differential splits it again as needed between the two rear wheels.
Besides the 4WD and 4WD Sport modes, there is the option of pure rear-wheel drive (2WD), which allows experienced and skilled drivers to revel in the experience offered by past generations of the BMW M5 – i.e. handling in its purest form, with no control system intervention.
Chassis tuning for the ultimate precision and performance.
Like every BMW M car, the 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years is equipped with chassis technology that ensures precisely controllable handling at all times, even in extremely dynamic driving situations. This is down to the M-specific kinematic properties of the high-performance sedan’s double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension. They result in neutral steering behaviour and a linear build-up of lateral force up to the car’s dynamic limits. An M-specific version of the Variable Damper Control system is fitted, the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes selectable at the press of a button activating different damper settings. Selecting Sport mode activates the damper settings perfected for harsher tarmac and curbing of a track like Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. Sport Plus lends itself to the smoother pavement and curbing of grand prix circuits.
The ride height is lower by seven millimeters compared to the M5 Sedan, and is accompanied by model-specific chassis tuning to the springs (10% stiffer) and dampers. Increased negative front camber enhances the car’s ability to absorb lateral forces through high-speed corners. Ball joints instead of rubber mounts has resulted in more precise wheel guidance at the rear axle. The spring rate of the rear anti-roll bar is firmer, causing the body roll that occurs through high-speed corners to be distributed with a pronounced rear bias.
The ultimate in braking and grip.
The outstanding stopping power of the new 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years is provided by low-weight M compound brakes, featuring six-piston fixed callipers and perforated, inner-vented brake discs at the front wheels and single-piston floating callipers with integrated parking brake at the rear.
Standard specification for the limited edition model includes exclusive M light-alloy Y-spoke design wheels shod with front 275/35R20 and rear 285/35R20 non runflat performance tires.
6 Generations of U.S. M5 Sedans
1988 E28 M5
Where it all began. The first M5 set the benchmark for understated performance and luxury when it arrived in the US. Powered by a 3.5–liter, 24 valve, dual-overhead–cam inline-6 engine producing 256 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 243 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm, the 3,420 lb. sedan accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and kept going all the way up to a top speed of 150 mph. The E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan of its time and you could have it in any color, as long as it was black.
1991 – 1993 E34 M5
The second generation of M5 arrived in the US in 1990 with a brand new chassis and increased performance. The 3.5L 6-cylinder engine now produced 310 hp @ 6,900 rpm and 266 lb-ft. @ 4,750. This allowed the 3,804 lb. sedan to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and feature an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Unique to the early cars were two-piece wheels with a turbine cooling cover.
2000 – 2003 E39 M5
The first V8 M5. The third generation M5 sedan was powered by a new 5.0L, 32-valve, 4-cam. Naturally aspirated V8 producing 394 hp @ 6,600 rpm and 368 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm. 0-60 mph was accomplished in 4.8 seconds by the 4,024 lb. while the top speed was again limited to 155 mph. The substantial increase in torque (+100 lb-ft.) across the rev range was immediately noticeable and appreciated by owners.
2005 – 2010 E60 M5
To arrival of the V10. Mirroring BMW’s efforts in Formula 1, this generation of the M5 received a technologically advanced 5.0L V10 engine. Producing 500 hp @ 7,750 rpm and 383 lb-ft @ 6,100 rpm, the engine could rev all the up to its 8,250 rpm redline. 60 mph was reached in 4.5 seconds with an electronic limiter set at 155 mph. The 4,087 lb. E60 M5 also saw the introduction of the 7-speed SMG transmission and M drive modes; P400, P500 and S500 referring by name to the horsepower allowed by each setting.
2012 – 2016 F10 M5
Breaking with the tradition of high-revving engines of the past, the fifth generation M5 arrived with a very torque-laden, twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8. Delivering 560 hp @ 5,750 rpm and 500 lb-ft. @ 1,500 – 5,750 rpm, the new engine propelled the 4,370 lb. sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with the new 7-speed DCT transmission and in 4.3 seconds with the 6-speed manual.
2018 – Present F90 M5
The current generation of M5 sedan is the fastest and most capable M5 in history. Producing 600 hp @ 5,700 – 6,600 rpm and 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 – 5,700 rpm from its 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8, the F90 features the first all-wheel drive system to be fitted to an M passenger car. The added traction of the M xDrive system allows the M5 to sprint to 60 mph in only 3.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.
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