**The Evolution of the BMW M5: A High-Performance Icon**

For many car enthusiasts, the BMW M5 is more than just a high-performance variant of the 5 Series - it's an icon, a symbol of power and agility on the road. With its rich history spanning over three decades, the M5 has undergone numerous transformations, each one refining its performance, handling, and overall driving experience.

**The E34 Era: A Time of Individual Throttle Bodies**

One of the earliest incarnations of the M5 was the E34 model, which debuted in 1989. This generation featured individual throttle bodies, a design element that was later abandoned in favor of a more streamlined approach. The engine, a naturally aspirated S14 inline-6, produced 323 horsepower and became synonymous with the M5's performance cred.

**The E39: A Break from Tradition**

The E39, which took over as the flagship model for BMW in 1998, marked a significant departure from traditional M5 styling. Gone were the individual Beamer lights and rigid lines of the E34, replaced by a sleeker, more refined design that belied its potent performance credentials. The engine, however, was where BMW truly innovated - with the development of a high-revving V10 engine, which would become a hallmark of future M5 models.

**The E60: A Return to Racing Roots**

When the E60 M5 arrived in 2006, it was clear that BMW had not forgotten its racing heritage. The car's design, with its aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser, was unmistakably inspired by F1 racing cars of the era. The engine, a twin-turbo V8 producing 500 horsepower, was also reminiscent of the high-revving V10s used in F1, albeit with a more accessible power delivery.

**The F10: A New Era of Forced Induction**

In 2010, BMW introduced the F10 M5, which marked a significant shift towards forced induction. The twin-turbo V8 engine produced an astonishing 560 horsepower and propelled the car from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. While some purists were initially hesitant to embrace the new technology, the results spoke for themselves - the F10 M5 was a true performance icon.

**The Current Era: The F90 M5**

For the latest iteration of the M5, BMW has taken the stakes to an unprecedented level with the introduction of all-wheel drive and the M xDrive system. This sophisticated system allows drivers to disconnect the front axles, enabling them to unleash the full fury of the 590 horsepower engine on a deserted track or, more subtly, on a twisty mountain road. The F90 M5 is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing - its aggressive styling belies its incredible performance capabilities.

**A Symbol of Undercover Speed**

Throughout its history, the BMW M5 has always been the subtle supercar for those who want to drive like an exotic car without looking like one. Whether it's a weekend canyon run or a spirited blast on the autobahn, the M5 delivers with precision and flair. As we look back on the evolution of this iconic model, it's clear that BMW's commitment to performance has remained unwavering - and for fans of the brand, there's no better feeling than getting behind the wheel of this incredible machine.

**Conclusion**

For car enthusiasts, the BMW M5 is more than just a car - it's an experience, a statement of intent on the road. With its rich history, potent performance, and sleek styling, the M5 has earned its place as one of the most revered cars in the world. Whether you're a seasoned driver or a newcomer to the world of high-performance driving, the BMW M5 is sure to leave an indelible mark - and for that, we can all be grateful.

**Additional Links**

If you want to learn more about BMW's performance lineup, check out our episode of Up to Speed, where we delve into the science behind the latest M models. Alternatively, if turbos are your thing, be sure to watch Science Garage for an in-depth look at the technology that powers the modern M5.

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WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en(car engine revs)- It's the super sedanthat turned the car worldon its head and made BMW theGerman sports car masters.While its little brothergets all the racing cred,this big, fast A F Sedanproved to the worldthat you didn't need to be a lil coupeto have fun at the track or in the twisty.(car engine revs) (tires squeal)(bell dings)It's the undercover super car,the luxury lap time setter,the ultimate driving machine!This is everything you need to knowto get up to speed on the BMW M5.(video game music)The story of the M5 really beginswith another M car, the first one.BMW wanted to developa mid-engine super carto defeat Porscha atLe Mans in the mid-70s.Race chassis buildersDallara made the chassisand Lamborghini was on board to iron outthe details and produce the car for BMW.They called it the M1.(lightning charge) (car engine revs)But the project kind of fizzled outwhen the rules changed andBMW couldn't even race the M1in the class they designed it for.So that kind of sucked, but they didget a pretty sweet engineout of the whole experimentand sweet engines need good homes.BMW had already made a souped up 5 beforecalled the 535i, but that5 didn't have an enginedesigned by BMWs MotorSport or M Division.This new one would.- Hans we have thisin-curt-able racing enginewith great performance that is alsosurprisingly reliable for daily driving.- Oh Klaus, that is wunderbarbecause I think we should putan incredible enginewith great performanceand surprising reliability into a sedan.- Wunderbar!- The M1's M88 straight-sixengine made 273 herse-persand one incredible sound.(car engine revs)And since it was designedfor the harsh conditionsof endurance racing, it was pretty muchoverqualified for street duty.It also had individualthrottle bodies which,if you don't know, are sick.BMW yanked this engineout of the M! Super carand shoved it under the hoodof their E28 5 Series sedan.Since this car was an M Divisioncreation, it needed a name.- What shall we call it, Hans?- I don't know, Klaus, how about the M5?- Economy of words, I like it.- Do you like me?- Don't be silly, you goose.Of course I do, you're my best froy-nd-ed.- Just a froy-nd-ed?- Please, don't do this again.- (huffs) Always in the foy-nd-ed zone.(film crew and James laugh)- What reallyset the first M5 apartfrom other sedans and sports carswas the fact that it wascompletely hand-built.Bodies were shipped fromthe main BMW factoryto the BMW M Division's facilitywhere highly-trainedtechnicians joined the bodywith their own tunedchassis and drive train.The E28 M5 made its debut atthe 1985 Amsterdam Motor Showand it was an instant classic.When critics and owners got their handson the finished product theywere blown away by the M5'srazor-sharp handling and epic engine.Here was a big sedan that could seat fiveand also go toe-to-toewith the Ferrari 308.(80s new wave music)Nothing like this had ever been done.It was unstoppable perfor-- (stammers)It was unstoppable performancein an inconspicuous package.Just like me, James.The E28 M5 was only made for three yearsand since they were hand-built,a little over 2,000 of them were sold.They're pretty rare.The M5 name took abreather for a couple yearsuntil the release of the E34 5-Series.The new M5 dropped in 1989 andit was still hand-assembledat M headquarters with lower ride height,firmer suspension, bigger sway bars.Basically anything tomake it an M creation.(tires squeal)What's even cooler is it came as a wagon.Everybody loves wagons, whetherwe're blasting over cliffswith our stuffed tiger bestfriend or bringing our son,Nolan, home in the backof a Ford Taurus wagon.The M5 Touring was thesame pavement pounding,curve bending, tailslidin' beast that everyonehad come to know and love but nowit had a little hatch in the back.(tires squeal)The M5 Touring never made it to the U.S.Because nothing ever doesbut that's okay becausethe biggest change to theM5 formula was yet to come.And we would get our stinkylittle fingers all over it.(sniffs)Demand for the M5 was so largenow that BMW couldn't affordto stipple production numbers by havingthem assembled by hand so,the new M5 would be built nextto their normal 5 Series brethren.But don't you think for asecond that just becauseit wasn't built in isolationlike the Winter Soldierthat this M5 couldn't be anabsolute monster, like The Hulk.Because buddy, it was an absolute monster,just like The Hulk.- My pants.- What lurked beneath theE39 M5's hood was perhapsthe biggest departure fromthe M5 formula so far.A 4.9 liter aluminum blockdual overhead cam V8.And it kept the individualthrottle bodies.Basically it's like theCosworth engines F1 carsused to run in the '70, butit's bigger and lighter.What's not to love?With 400 herse-pers on tap, the new M5had no problem roasting up the rear meats.One time I sat on the hood of my carwhen it was really hot outand I roasted my rear meats.(audience boos)But this wasn't some roidraging muscle car, no!It could still canyoncarve with the best of themand it was better looking than ever.BMW switch up the styling,it was the new millennium.Gone were the traditional individualBeamer lights and rigid lines of the E34.The new M5 was sleek but muscular,refined but ready to rip yourface off at a moment's notice.(car engine revs)Fight me in the comments but I think thatthis is the best looking M5 ever.The E39 was in productionfrom 1998 to 2003when the M5 name took a break once again.Big changes were again on the horizonfor the world's premier sports sedan.Mainly, the engine.BMW had been dabbling in alittle thing called Formula 1,developing a high revving V10.Now you'd think that BMW wouldbe inspired by this aloneto put a V10 in the M5 andyou'd be 75-ish per cent right.Apparently, BMW's headof engine developmentwas obsessed with the number 500and wanted a five literengine with 500 cc'sof displacement in every cylinderand 100 horsepower for every liter.He locked himself in hisoffice, covering the wallswith equations and math stuff and realizedhe couldn't make this happen with a V8.They needed two more cylinders, a V10.That's just simple math.This monster V10 put down 500 horsepowerand had a redline just over 8,200 RPM.Listen to this engine.(car engine revs)The E60 was still a trulyrace-inspired sedan,just like the E28.America was the only region to geta manual transmission option, which meanswe finally got the cool thing for once.- Yay!- The touring option also madea comeback, which we didn't get.Which is fine, I guess, you know,like pretty used to it by now.The 5 Series got a refresh in2010 which meant, yup, new M5.It turns out age meant gaininga few pounds and inchesto the waistline. (laughs)I mean, we all know how that feels, right?This is what I used to look like.(yells)(martial arts shout) (gentle bamboo flute)The new F10 M5 was noticeably biggerthan the previous model but luckilythe power figure keptup with the growing gut.The V10 was chucked in favorof a new twin-turbo V8.M5 purists were a littlehesitant to embracethe new forced induction, longingfor the days of naturally aspirated past.But, the results spoke for themselves.BMW claimed a zero-to-60 of4.2 seconds but some peopleclaim they were able tomake times as low as 3.7from a car weighing over two tons.(car engine revs)The F10 lasted for sevenyears until another refreshin 2017 which gave us the current M5.The F90 raises the stakes with maybethe most mind-boggling update so far.All wheel drive.Other way?- Other way. (laughs)- The M xDrive system scootsthe 590 horsepower M5 fromzero to 60 in 3.2 seconds.Three. Point two. Seconds.(car engine revs)xDrive can also disconnect the front axleso you can do big ol' stonkin' donutsin your $110,000 German sedan.(tires squeal)The M5 has always beenthe subtle super carfor the undercover speed freak.If you wanted a car thatdrove like an exoticbut looks like somethingyour accountant drivesto the grocery store, the M5 was for you.It is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.(yells)(martial arts shout) (gentle bamboo flute)Hey guys, we put out a newvideo like almost every day.To make sure you don't miss anyof it, click this button right here.You like BMWs? Watch thisepisode of Up to Speed.You like turbos? Watch thisepisode of Science Garage.Follow me on Instagram at jamespumphrey,follow Donut at donutmedia.You want to buy this dog?Go to shop.donut.media.I'll sign him and I'll send him to you.(lip kiss) I love you.