Test bench | A final lap for the BMW M5?

Even if it means maintaining some contradictions in its discourse, BMW underlines in broad strokes its devotion to the electric fairy, but its catalog still offers as many very sporty, even frankly aggressive versions. Moreover, M, the sports antenna of BMW, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and the M5 CS is pouring gasoline afloat – since there is still some – to mark the event. But has the M5 CS (ClubSport) just closed a chapter started half a century ago?

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

It won’t make anyone any younger, but the first M5 appeared 37 years ago. Already. Since then, five other generations have succeeded him, but none of them was entitled to the suffix CS. Stamped with the 2022 vintage, this (ultimate?) variation of the M5 built in Munich since last March will cease to be produced next month.

The German manufacturer does not say a word about the number of copies put into circulation, but the production rate seems closer to craftsmanship than to the industrial rate. Moreover, one of the brand’s dealers contacted by The Press said he was “privileged to have obtained two”. BMW has 50 dealerships in Canada.

So what’s the point of devoting a test bench to an expensive car intended for a few lucky aesthetes? For the journalist’s selfish pleasure? So there you have the wrong author. The objective here is to salute the 50th anniversary of M first. Also to close a chapter on this sports antenna which will no longer produce six, eight, ten or twelve cylinders. Just electric thrusters.

The essence of pleasure

Opportunistic, the Bavarian brand boasts of the driving sensations and increasing performance offered by its products, but at the same time communicates its ecological concern which is very up to date. This highlights the electric thrusters. BMW is not the only firm to hold a schizophrenic discourse, but it remains relevant to note such a dichotomy.

Without calling into question the image of the intoxicating manufacturer, the sportiness of BMWs with the M logo is always exacerbated, but it has also become more modern, that is to say efficient, but comfortable. Brilliant motorization and suspension relatively respectful of the vertebrae of Quebec motorists. Mainly Montrealers.

The BMistes (if the expression existed) militants or sympathizers can breathe. The M5 CS clearly demonstrates that the brand with the blue and white propeller has not lost the art of throwing glitter in our eyes.

Formerly deemed cars not to be put in all hands, the M’s today let themselves be tamed not more easily, but make some people believe that they have more talent than they have.

Energetic, the M5 CS has an excellent chassis, improved for the occasion, and above all extremely direct and responsive steering. Although it has nothing particularly “leicht” (light in German) with its almost two tons, this BMW is conducted with finesse, well wedged in the bottom of the carbon seats padded like a competition bicycle saddle. It’s a treat to solicit her as she shows her heart to the work. It is still necessary to learn how to dose the braking too stiffly and to be wary of the too wide turning radius, embarrassing during parking maneuvers.

Strengthened to better stick to the road, the suspensions curb body movements, but tend to stamp on uneven surfaces. It is also at this price that you really “feel” a car.

True to its reputation as the “Beethoven of the exhaust”, the M subsidiary has composed a downright wicked soundtrack for this large sedan. Synthetic perhaps, but wicked all the same with the help of its four stainless steel tips integrated into an extractor that one would swear designed for a Formula 1.

The M5 CS, with a weight/power ratio bordering on indecency, is driven with jubilation, but ranks in the category of “I didn’t feel like I was going that fast”.

Be careful not to be intoxicated by this sedan which runs from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 s. While promising to reach 315 km / h to anyone who wants to have their driver’s license withdrawn on the spot. The sparkling M5 CS refuses nothing. Even to aspiring pilots. To really see what it’s all about, you have to, as with many vehicles of this caliber, put your wheels on a circuit.

This car is above all remarkable for its handling and the quality of its braking. Furious in the soul, she twists her neck to a received idea according to which automatic transmission and driving pleasure are largely incompatible. It is not so: the hands well wedged on the steering wheel, the perfectly staged accelerations of this BMW work wonders.

The interior presentation is improved compared to the reference model, with headrests which, in addition to the M5 acronym, also illuminate the relief of the Nürburgring, the famous mythical circuit where all renowned sports cars compete. The M5 CS has only four seats. The lucky privileged person who holds the steering wheel happily puts up with these inconveniences. Passengers, although installed in comfortable seats, are generally less enthusiastic.

And the M5 Competition

For lack of putting your butt in an M5 CS, there remains the M5 Competition. Far from being a consolation prize, the latter provides substantially similar sensations on a daily basis. It is heavier, it is true (by a hundred kilos), is not enveloped — even partially — in carbon. Neither produces as much power as the CS (10 hp deficit). In a word, it is the least sophisticated. But by selecting the right options, it has the merit of costing less and above all of being accessible (read available).

And this is also partly the objective pursued by BMW by briefly putting the M5 CS into service. That of comforting aficionados who cannot yet conceive that the M legend can run on anything other than gasoline.

Yesterday

Created in 1972, the subsidiary M (for Motorsport) aims to make BMW shine in motorsport. To do this, it revisits certain BMW models, as was the case with the 3.0 CSL (our photo). This one participated in the Group 2 category in the 1970s and, in the eyes of purists, represents the DNA of this sports antenna. Moreover, a reinterpretation of this model was born in 2015 in a conceptual form and signed by Montreal stylist Karim Habib.

tomorrow

For M, a chapter closes and another opens on the occasion of his 50^and birthday. The i4 M50 will begin – along with other models – the electric transition of the sports branch of the Bavarian brand. With its two electric motors capable of producing more than 540 hp, the i4 M50 will provide as lightning acceleration as that of the current M3 (petrol), even if it weighs at least 400 kg more…

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