M&M

All-new BMW M5 and BMW M5 Touring debut in the Philippines

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GET READY for more fahrvergnügen.

That's the German word for driving pleasure, certainly seen to be the order of the day for BMW which has always been known as a car meant to be driven by the owner.

Last week, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. brought in two more reasons to look forward to hitting the road congested or otherwise. The seventh-generation BMW M5 sedan and its twin, the third-generation BMW M5 Touring (essentially its estate version), have been unveiled - similarly priced at P12.79 million.

Significant for the two is the debut of an electrified power plant the M Hybrid drive system predicated on a 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine "tuned specifically" for the M5. The high-revving (up to 7,200rpm) internal combustion engine is paired with an electric motor, said to generate power instantly, to ensure instantaneous response while producing a combined 727hp and astounding 1,000Nm of torque. The driver realizes the performance promises of the potent power plant through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Top speed is a claimed 305kph with the M Driver's Package.

In a release, BMW said it reinterprets the signature M high-performance car design. "A particularly high proportion of surfaces painted in body color and a black solid finish for the roof create a pure appearance to go with the familiar proportions of a Touring model. The all-new BMW M5 gets the M Carbon exterior package, which includes a carbon roof, mirrors and spoiler," it explained.