– The world’s first V10 high-revving engine in a sedan.
– The world’s first 7-speed SMG in a sedan.
– The best power-to-weight ratio in its market segment.

Precisely 20 years have already passed since the BMW M5 established a new segment, which has in the meantime also been discovered by other car manufacturers. And that car – the original – is still by far the most successful player in the high performance sedan segment. Spread over three generations of production, more than 35,000 units were built – initially manually at the BMW M plant in Munich and later at the 5 Series assembly line in Dingolfing. These units were then sold worldwide.

The secret of the BMW M5’s popularity has always been the successful synthesis of unobtrusive yet powerful appearance, combined with a high-performance power unit – a sports car featuring Formula 1 technology and at the same time a sedan offering premium comfort.

In terms of driving dynamics, the BMW M5 had always set standards in its segment. It not only excelled due to its high performance, but due to the way in which M power was produced and developed. It appeared as if this first-rate car’s inexhaustible power reserves had created a totally new dimension in effortlessness.

Due to the change of model within the 5 Series, the BMW M product portfolio is currently presented without a BMW M5, even though the demand for such a car has never diminished. For this reason, BMW M designers have begun designing a possible successor based on the new BMW 5 Series. This car is a far-reaching concept on an appealing subject: the BMW Concept M5. Such a car could undoubtedly serve as a stimulus and offer solutions for a future series-production vehicle.

Totally in keeping with the high demands of our clientele, whose main reasons for purchasing a car are performance, style and driving fun, the BMW M5 Concept makes its living out of contrasts: the principle of optimal performance wrapped in a discreet but, by comparison with the 5 Series, distinctive body design.

When seen alongside the new 5 Series, the exterior design of the BMW Concept M5 has its very own uniqueness. Modified front and rear air dams and side sills, a slightly lower body, side air vents, an exclusive wheel design as well as the four M-type tailpipes, visually accentuate the vehicle’s claim to being a sports car.

The heart of every M automobile, and that includes the BMW Concept M5, must be its exclusive high-performance power unit with high-revving air intake technology, an engine which sets a benchmark in this field. With this engine, BMW M is presenting a masterpiece in power unit technology that undoubtedly has just what it takes: the figure 5 is predominant with a 5.0-litre capacity producing around 500 bhp (368 kW) and a maximum torque of at least 500 Nm, these being the kind of figures BMW M considers worthy of a possible new M5.

And the figure ten will also gain in significance, as, for the first time in BMW history, a series-production sedan is to be powered by a
ten-cylinder internal combustion engine, the sound and power of which is closely related to the engine currently providing monstrous power to the BMW Williams Formula 1 racing car, without a doubt the most powerful car on the starting grid.

The engine powering the BMW Concept M5 should be in a position to mobilize the enormous power reserves required to assist this unique sports sedan in achieving a remarkable driving performance. Engineers at BMW M envisage the car accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) over the classic distance in well under 5 seconds, the 200 km/h (125 mph) mark being reached in just 13 seconds.

The technology of this newly-developed ten-cylinder engine should not be perceivable by single-dimensional power or sheer performance alone, but first and foremost by the method of achieving such performance. M power featured in the new BMW Concept M5 will once again rise to the occasion and become a perfect example of what is technically feasible and appropriate.

This is evident not only in the extremely appealing design of a BMW high-performance engine. Needless to say, this specially developed BMW M engine incorporates typical features such as high-pressure VANOS, individual throttle butterflies, engine electronics designed by our own engineers and based on knowledge gained from Formula 1 racing as well as traverse force-regulated oil supply.

Moreover, the BMW Concept M5 stands out from others by having the most innovative drive concept in its class. Thanks to a superior gearbox solution, the driver can benefit from a completely new 7-speed SMG, a rapid manual gear-shift and, if required, comfortable cruising. This piece of technical mastery also has its origins in Formula 1 synergism.

The designers of the BMW Concept M5 were, of course, eager to succeed against competition in building the lightest car, as BMW wishes to continue pursuing the concept of intelligent lightweight construction in order to achieve a high level of longitudinal and lateral dynamics. As seen on the new 5 and 6 Series, BMW has already presented an innovative example of a lightweight front end construction. BMW M engineers aspired to achieve the best power-to-weight ratio in this market segment, thereby fully utilizing their abundant experience in suspension design.

Based on the excellent all-aluminium suspension of the new BMW 5 Series, with the addition of some elements from the new BMW 7 Series, they have designed the BMW Concept M5 for maximum comfort when driving for longer periods on highways or in stop-and-go city traffic, as well as for putting on a good show when racing round the north loop of the Nürburgring. In addition to a specially tuned Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a variable M-type limited-slip differential, which we are already familiar with from the BMW M3, ensures optimum driving behavior in all situations.

The 9½ inch light-alloy rear wheels, manufactured especially for the BMW Concept M5, boast specially designed, extra wide 285/35 ZR 19 tires. At the front there are 255/40 ZR 19 tires on 8½ inch wheels, controlled by a newly designed Servotronic steering which is fitted as standard. A reinforced braking system developed especially for the BMW Concept M5 enables the driver to fully control the engine’s exceptional performance.

Needless to say, the BMW Concept M5 also offers scores of ideas for equipping the car with particularly exclusive and sporty options. Without going into detail right now, it can be said that the special solutions required to satisfy the demanding customer’s preferences in this particular market segment have been realized.

When exactly the concept of a series-produced M5 will be realized cannot be confirmed at the present time. However, it can be assumed that a successor to the extremely popular BMW M5, based on the BMW Concept M5 now being exhibited, could possibly go on sale during the course of the year 2004.

2. Show-car BMW Individual 6 Series Convertible.

Whilst international automobile production is putting an increasing number of colors and materials on show, BMW Individual is resolutely following its own path as far as choice is concerned. As a corporate division of BMW M, BMW Individual offers its customers a unique choice of paints, high-quality leathers, high-grade wood and high-tech solutions, all of which make up an extraordinary product range.

These are products developed by our company, which often anticipate market trends and which, of course, are only available from BMW Individual. Using such exclusive ingredients, designers create comprehensive concepts, as in the case of the show-car BMW Individual 6 Series Convertible now being exhibited at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.

Although it is still at the stage of a show-car similar to a series-produced vehicle, this very special automobile offers specific characteristics, which can later be realized by the customer – for example the BMW Individual paintwork in malachite dark green metallic. This color owes both its name and its unique charisma to the crystals of the emerald-green malachite.

The premium quality effect of the dark green paintwork is complemented by a highly polished shadow-line. Complete leather interior in Merino Champagne with additional Amarone walnut interior trim are proof that contrasts can be harmoniously matched. 19́́ BMW Individual alloys in V–spoke design give the BMW Individual 6 Series Convertible show-car its dynamic appearance.

In addition to offering exclusive colors and materials, the BMW Individual product range stands out due to its innovative and convenient solutions. An Internet browser, especially adapted by BMW Individual, provides both the driver and the front-seat passenger with unrestricted Internet access. Operation via iDrive and the 8.8́́ info display built into the dashboard are highly convenient features.

This new show-car provides a foretaste of the BMW 6 Series Individual product range available as from the autumn of 2004. This range of equipment exudes an inimitable superiority, which will appeal above all to those customers who wish to fulfil their dream of owning an individual, extroverted automobile.

BMW now moves to second in the GT Manufacturer Point Standings and BMW Team PTG to fourth in GT Team Owner Points.

The No. 21 M3 of Boris Said and Bill Auberlen competed 105 laps around the 2.3-mile Homestead-Miami road course. They finished one lap ahead of the No. 22 M3 of teammates Justin Marks and Joey Hand. The No. 22 was credited with the fastest lap of the race (1:19.884). As the pole sitters and capturing the class win, Auberlen and Said also won the first Axiom Grand Touring Challenge Bonus of the season.

From their first and fourth starting spots, Said and Marks quickly settled into the second and third positions as the 250-mile Grand Prix of Miami began. It only took seven laps for both BMW Team PTG M3s to move back to the front of the GT field, with Said taking the point. Said was the first to pit for fuel on lap 31with Marks in at lap 34. A full-course caution on lap 40 brought the field together and bad luck for the No. 21 M3. Said was just behind the overall leading Daytona Prototype as the yellow flag waved and lost a lap after the wave-by. Ready to make a charge back, Team PTG elected to immediately pit on lap 43 for fuel, tires and install Bill Auberlen behind the wheel. Auberlen rejoined the field in fifth while Marks continued in second. By lap 54 Auberlen and Marks were in second and third, 40 seconds behind the leader and gaining approximately five seconds per lap. On lap 64 both BMW Team PTG M3s were back at the front of the field. Marks pitted on lap 70 for tires and fuel and Joey Hand took over


the No. 22 M3 for the run to the finish. During two late-race caution periods Auberlen gained a lap on Hand, but the two crossed the finish line side-by-side for a thrilling BMW Team PTG victory.

The race is scheduled to be televised on Speed Channel at 4 p.m. ET on March 7.

BMW Team PTG will next travel to Phoenix International Raceway for Round Three on April 8-10.

BORIS SAID, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3: "I had a nice lead and had only pitted 10 laps before the yellow waved. I was right behind the leader so bad luck put us a lap down after the wave-by. The team made a good call to pit immediately to get Bill in and take on fuel. That meant he would only have to make one more fuel stop and could focus on regaining the lead and keeping it."

BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3: "This is the way it should be -the PTG M3s back in the winner's circle. The competition is tough, but if we continue to dig when we get down like we did today I think we will be making a few more podium visits."

JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3: "The track was very slick during my two stints, but the M3 handled it well. We found something in the car this morning that fixed a lot of the understeer we had been experiencing in the last two days. I had all the confidence that Joey would bring us home a great finish."

JOEY HAND, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3: "Justin did a great job getting the car through all the mayhem at the start. He ran hard and kept the No. 22 M3 clean. I just cruised to the finish saving fuel and the tires to ensure a good finish. To get second to Boris and Bill is great. We'll see if we can't give them a run as the season progresses."

TOM MILNER, OWNER BMW TEAM PTG: "It is a great feeling to win and 1-2 is even better. We love this endurance racing. Each race swings like a pendulum. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't. We dropped a lap early because of the yellow, but the team fought back and won. Everyone can be extremely proud."

HERNANDO CARVAJAL, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC: "Congratulations to the entire BMW Team PTG. Great driving, perfect pit stops and superb strategy contributed to this wonderful result."