2012 BMW M5 unofficially sets Nurburgring production sedan record

Article
Gallery

By Brett Davis | June 28th, 2011

BMW has only just revealed the next-generation, 2012 BMW M5, but apparently it’s already had time to stretch its legs out on a track. The word is a BMW factory driver has clocked a Nurburgring lap time of 7:55.

If this time is true, it means the new M5 will hold the record for the quickest mainstream factory sedan to ever lap the legendary circuit. The only other standard sedans that come close to this time are the Cadillac CTS-V and the Porsche Panamera Turbo, with times of 7:59 and 7:56, respectively.

The BMW M5 uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 412kW of power and 680Nm of torque. It’s able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds and go on to a delimited top speed of 305km/h. A time of 7:55 is very quick for the circuit, putting it in the same position on the leaderboard as a Ferrari 430. Not bad for a car weighing 1870kg.

Before BMW M fans start bragging about it too much though, the time claimed to be recorded is not yet official, so we’ll have to wait for further confirmation before rival wars start breaking out.

Just to give you some perspective on the time though, the previous generation E60 V10 M5 managed the lap in around 8:13, 18 seconds behind.

What do you think, is it likely the big 5 Series looped the circuit in under eight minutes? Or is it just a rumour?

Take a look at the video below for a bit of a taste of the new M5′s engine note. The car was on display at the Nurburgring 24 Hour event.

shane

over many years the M5 had this market to themselves and there wasnt many real competitors but now there are a range of excellent sedans and challengers to the M5 from everything from audi to porsche. I think this time will be accurate because bmw will want to re-establish the M5 at the top of the very top of this catagory and i dont doubt it will be super quick

Dave S

Thats a great time (since it did undercut the Porsche and the Cadillac)The M5 should well much of its testing has been done there. We have been veiwing various masked M5′s for months and months circling the ring – so you would expect a good time after all that pre – release testing.

B

Booooost…… you can get any amount of power you want with it… just depends on how far you wanna turn it up.
Gregski

What times would a hsv gts do?? Or a coyote gt? Or an f6???
Aussie manufacturers should be benchmarking their machines on the ring as well

Shak

Why. While its a brilliant marketing tagline for some European Sedans, the ‘Ring has no relevance or significance to the Australian market, which is the only place outside of the UK that any of these cars are sold.
Dave S

Forget the ‘ring’ maybe we should set up bathurst as benchmark for testing cars in Australia. Could there be a better test of Brakes, handing and torque and they tackle the famous mountain?

TMG

I like the Idea of using Bathurst for OZ made stuff, it’s not the Ring and never will be, but if it helps put better breaks and wider tyres on FPV’s then I’m all for it.

Do they still do a 12 or 24 hour production car race their every Easter?

Mark Anderson

I would prefer my local cars not to “break” at all. You don’t want them to “break” any better than they currently do…
Devil’s Advocate

TMG, they still have the Bathurst 12 hour production car race however it is no longer over easter. That IIRC is a different event all together.

Phil

That would be a problem for standard Falcons and Commodores with their miniture 298mm discs. They start fading after just one lap of the much smaller Wakefield park Circuit, so their brakes would be cooked after just one lap of Bathurst.

Roadtard

And if that forces a change for the better, then good!

M POWER

bangel did 7min 54 for 5 laps around the carpark pushing a trolly full of vb while wearing thongs,good effort son.

But it was disputed as there was no proof the he wore thongs,he could have been wearing nike airs.
Alex

Well, 2011 WRX STi did 7:55 on the ‘Ring last year:

http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40947
Al Juraj

I think the time is rather conservative. One second better than the Panamera is quite coincidental. I’m sure it could do a lot better. Maybe BMW are just teasing other manufacturers to try and post faster times until the M5′s real potential is unleashed. With torque galore, it should garner a lot more than an 18-second difference over its atmo V10 predecessor.

Phil

Well if the photo was taken before/after the lap, they did it in the wet.

Able

That’s a great time, but the new RS Megane Trophy is only 12 secs behind…

Charger

ONLY 12secs?? Thats a life time you cant even compare!

save it for the track

4 more cylinders, one more turbo, MORE than DOUBLE the power and 320Nm more torque and the M5 is ONLY 12 seconds faster than the Megane RS 265 ??? That’s perspective. Given the full Nordschleife track is over 20km, this basically comes down to the M5 being quicker on the straights and sweeper type bends where higher power rules. Hardly impressive when you think that the fastest FWD only has a 4 cylinder turbo with 195kW and 360Nm. What is does put into perspective is just how good the Renaultsport chassis really is. I’d be willing to bet that the M5 carries less speed than the Megane on tighter corners.

qikturbo

So what!?! Can the French make a car that weighs 500kgs more than the Megane RS and attain the same or better time than the M5?
The M5 is head and shoulders above any French car on the road today.You are comparing the proverbial chalk and cheese.The RS Megane Trophee is a little Sh*t box while the M5 is an engineering marvel,a very quick luxury car that can smash a piddly 4 cylinder turbo into the weeds!

qikturbo

Yep,it’s also behind in power,torque,acceleration ,comfort,prestige resale value,engineering and probably reliability.
But hey,at least the Trophee has a ‘Ring record.

Old Dog

Can it claim a production record when it isn’t yet in production?
CarFanatic

Gregski, the 2010 Camaro SS 318 kw 6.2 V8 did it in 8:20. So I wouldn’t think the HSV would be any quicker and if it was, it wouldn’t be by much.

Al Juraj

HSV is heavier and likely less aerodynamic than Camaro, so with the same engine, it should be slower.

Gregski

That’s where I’m getting at… Instead of using plastic fantastic body kits etc local Aussie manufacturers should be a little more track focused and serious, instead if just upping the power everytime a new model comes out. Correct me if I’m wrong
Steve

Taaaxxxxxiiiii!!!!

Devil’s Advocate

I wouldn’t say no, especially if Sabine is driving! However IIRC she no longer drives the Ring Taxi and that they have moved from the M5 to the M3.

Al Juraj

It moved to the M3 the moment the E60 was discontinued. I’m 99.9% sure it will revert to the F10 soon.

David

I hope they make the car available in GT5. If they do I will lap the ring and let you all know. I can manage an 8:05 in the E60 M5 on standard tyres.
Charger

About time the M5 Got its Mojo back the E39 M5 was simply epic the V10 Versions with SMG were no where near as good or as nice looking i reckon!
Y

If you dial up enough boost in the FPV Typhoon Turbo and put in stiffer springs, there’s no reason why it can’t beat that time. It’s all depends on how desparate you wanna win

Devil’s Advocate

…and if you dial up more boost and springs/slicks etc in the M5 it would be even quicker again. Your point being? Most things can be made much quicker if your pocket is deep enough!

Ben

Point being about $150,000 difference between the 2 cars lol. Go one better and work a GS or GT >:D

Devil’s Advocate

I am not denying that, but the original comment made no reference to price.

Al Juraj

The F6 is great bang-for-buck, but the M5 is simply the pinnacle of 4-doors, full stop.

PeterG

The minor problem I see with the Typhoon is the car that surrounds the engine .Like a Corvette not in the same league as the M5.
CarFanatic

Quikturbo’s right. Every corner the M5 hits creates the same G’s as the Megane. The fact it weighs alot more is testament to the M5′s ability.

Ballast the Megane by 200 kilos and throw it through the bends at speeds of an unballasted Megane and see it struggle to keep grip.

There are too many variables between the M5 and Megane RS to make a huge deal over the Megane.
save it for the track

My point was that with double the cylinders, an extra turbo and soooo much more power/torque the M5 is only 12 seconds quicker than the record holding FWD Megane over 20km’s. That is NOT impressive in that perspective. I would think that BMW and the like should be thankful that Renault doesn’t put their minds seriously to larger RWD performance cars…
.
Given that more powerful FWD and AWD cars are slower than the Megane in question.
.
As for smashing the Megane into the weeds, I would bet there would be maany a twisty mountain road that the M5 would be looking at Megane tail lights. Different segments for sure, but look at the price difference for that 12 second advantage on one racetrack.