Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M discusses the BMW M5 CS, possibly the ultimate performance saloon car. Its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is the most powerful engine fitted by BMW M GmbH, with a 10hp boost over the M5 Competition taking it to 635hp. This unit helps deliver 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 189mph.
The CS builds on the chassis of the BMW M5 Competition and features a 7mm drop in ride-height plus shock absorbers developed for the M8 Gran Coupé. As well as bringing added comfort to the driving experience, these dampers also reduce fluctuation in wheel loads to improve on-the-limit handling. The bearing springs at the front and rear axle have been retuned and damper control has also been refined to consider the lower vehicle weight and the tyres’ increased performance potential.
The M5 CS rides as standard on Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres measuring 275/35 R 20 at the front and 285/35 R 20 at the rear, which are fitted to 20in M forged wheels in Y‑spoke design (front: 9.5 J x 20, rear: 10.5 J x 20) with a Gold Bronze finish.
The M Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted as standard, with six-piston fixed-calliper units at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear. The brakes are 23kg lighter than the M Compound brakes found on the BMW M5 Competition.
The M5 CS is also fitted with bespoke engine mounts that have a spring rating of 900N/mm to ensure the engine’s firm connection to the car’s structure results in rapid engine response and immediate transmission of its power to the drivetrain.
