Australian details have been announced for the 2018 BMW M5. The Bavarian brute will arrive in locally in the second quarter of 2018 with a starting price of $199,900 plus on-road costs.
Initially, two special launch editions will be offered, the Launch Edition and the First Edition.
At $199,900, the Launch Edition will be the first batch of the new G30 M5 models. The Launch Edition is capped at 50 units for 2018.
The Launch Edition comes standard with Driving Assistant Plus – this includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision Protection, Front and Rear Cross-Traffic Warning, Crossroads warning, Evasion Aid, Rear Collision Prevention, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning.
This version of the ultimate driving machine offers semi-autonomous functionality. The new M5 is capable of steering, accelerating and braking itself for up to 30 seconds at a time.
Other standard equipment includes Adaptive LED headlights with Selective Beam and LED daytime running lights, full Merino leather trim, Anthracite headliner and bi-colour 20-inch M light alloy wheels.
Buyers can option the Indulgence Package ($8,000 including GST and LCT) which adds a soft-close function for the doors, a massage function for the front seats, TV function and a pair of 10.2-inch rear screens with Blu-Ray drives.
There’s also an Innovations Package ($3,650 including GST and LCT) that includes roller sunblinds, front seat ventilation, four-zone automatic climate control, ambient air package and BMW’s advanced Gesture Control.
For a bit more exclusivity (if that’s a term that can still be used to describe BMW), there is the First Edition for a cool $229,900 plus on-roads.
Only 400 M5 First Edition models will be produced, five of which are coming to Australia.
When compared to the Launch Edition, the First Editions gains bespoke Frozen Dark Red metallic paint, gloss black exterior highlights, Merino leather finished in Smoke White, with red contrast stitching and a 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins diamond surround sound system.
All M5 variants are powered by an updated 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It produces 441kW and 750Nm (peak torque is generated from only 1800rpm) and is paired with an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission.
Drive is sent to an M xDrive all-wheel drive system that features a locking rear differential. The system has a rear bias but can distribute drive forward or across the rear axle as required.
BMW claims the new M5 can conquer the 0-100km/h in only 3.4 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. When the M Driver’s Package is optioned the M5 can reach a top speed of 305km/h.
Fuel consumption comes in at a claimed 10.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
2018 BMW M5 pricing (excluding on-road costs):
M5 Launch Edition – $199,900
M5 First Edition – $229,900
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