.

.
December 04, 2002
.
This Week:

• Bentley Continental and Bentley Azure final series announced

• Toyota Delivers First Two, Market-Ready Zero-Emission-Certified Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles

• First Edition StreetKa Sells Out Within Three Weeks Of Going On Sale

• GM Fuel-Cell Prototypes Closer To Future Revolutionary Automobile

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class: five stars in European NCAP test

• M5 - Still the World's Most Desirable Sport Sedan

• Mr Pierre Peugeot is dead

• Audi TT 3.2 quattro with new automatic sports transmission (DSG)

• Eberspächer: Compact Auxiliary Heater Prevents A Frosty Start To Your Journey

• Valeo expands global manufacturing network with new factory in Romania

© 1998 - 2002 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.com  

BMW M5

Photo: BMW

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - With the debut of the current-generation M5, BMW raised the standards for top-level sport Sedans by a quantum. This immensely powerful, yet supremely luxurious 4-door model - the 3rd generation in a line of M5s beginning in 1984 - was BMW M's first V-8 model, and endowed with such a breadth and depth of technology and refinement that it towered over all other high-performance sedans.

Evolutionary Refinements Since the M5's Debut

After its introduction as a 2000 model, the M5 was given subtle updates in 2001 and 2002, including such refinements as -

• New front lighting units with luminous rings and round parking lights/turn signals. Among BMW enthusiasts, the luminous rings have since acquired the nickname "angel eyes."
• A solar sensor added to make the automatic climate control more responsive to changing sunlight conditions.
• A wider monitor and improved controls for the standard BMW Onboard Navigation System.
• An optional M Audio System with enhanced bass performance.
• Addition of automatic headlight control, which automatically switches on the headlights and all related lighting when ambient lighting decreases beyond a preset level.
• Alcantara headliner standard
• Max A/C button

For 2003, the changes are few but significant:

The rear-seat Head Protection System, consisting of airbags that deploy downward over the C-pillars and rear door windows, has been made standard.

The Onboard Navigation System, which remains standard, has improved performance and capabilities as well as a new DVD database that covers the entire United States with one DVD.

At $71,095 including destination charge, the M5 is priced a nominal $500 above the '02 model to reflect these enhancements.

(December 1, 2002)