2022 BMW M5 CS – Quickest and Most Powerful Ever?

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai

BMW has proclaimed the 2022 M5 CS Sedan, with 627 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, to be the quickest and most powerful BMW production vehicle ever produced, with a claimed 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 MPH. It will arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2021.

Having recently updated the M5 for 2021, the M5 CS adds more power, performance, and all-important interior appointment exclusivity, and is 230 pounds less than the M5 Competition. Liberal use of CFRP materials boosts the power-to-weight ratio of an already-high M5, since the M5 CS’ S63 4.4-liter M TwinPower turbo V8 only netted 10 HP more than the M5. The torque band is more impressive, with 553 lb-ft from 1,800 to 5,950 rpm, wider than the M5 Competition by 90 rpm. Redline is 7,200 rpm, with high-pressure, direct fuel injection, liquid-to-air intercooling for the twin turbos, and an oil system with two pumps.

Coupled to an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M5 CS at 2.9 seconds is 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the M5 Competition. With the standard M Driver’s Package, the top speed is 190 mph, which also includes a BMW driver’s training voucher. 4WD, 4WD Sport, and 2WD are the selectable xDrive modes. To further enhance driver control, the Dynamic Stability Control system offers three settings, DSC on, M Dynamic Mode, and DSC off.

Extraordinarily short shift times are promised, along with quick responses to accelerator input. The Drivelogic switch on the shifter gives you three more choices, efficient, sport, or track, rather than a manual transmission that would allow you to make all the permutations yourself. BMW’s description of the exhaust system is as eloquent as the tone itself, another choice of three options, efficient, sport, or sport+, plus an M Sound button that mutes the V8’s roar to an understated note.

10 percent stiffer springs, 0.2-inch lower ride height, increased negative camber, a firmer rear anti-roll bar, and tow-link ball-joint mounts are a part of the M5 CS’ chassis and suspension tuning. To take advantage of the lower ride height and no-cost optional Pirelli P Zero Corsa high-performance tires, there’s additional spring and Dynamic Damper Control tuning over the M5 Competition.

The M5 CS uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to shed weight, in the roof (standard on all M5s), vented hood, front splitter, mirror caps, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. In the engine compartment, the nicest-looking BMW engine cover I’ve ever seen is made from CFRP. Reduced soundproofing also lowers the M5 CS’ bulk, but a quiet ride isn’t the objective in a car like this, is it?

For the first time, there are M carbon sport seats in front with matching bucket seats in the rear, covered in black Merino leather with Mugello red accents and contrasting red stitching. The front seats are new lightweight, heated, and electrically adjustable M carbon buckets with side bolsters, integrated headrests, and illuminated M5 logos. The two rear passengers each have their own individual seats, and all the headrests are imprinted with a map of the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife. Quite the finishing touch, wouldn’t you say?

At an MSRP of $142,000 plus a destination charge of $995, is this limited production four-seater a must-have in your garage?

[Images: BMW]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • EX35 EX35 on Jan 27, 2021

    I wonder how a used Chevy Ss + suspension/brake upgrades + procharger would compare?

    • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Jan 27, 2021

      My guess is that said SS would be 1/3 the price for 2x the fun.

  • Johnnyz Johnnyz on Jan 27, 2021

    Let us not forget the previous v10 M5 and those darn connecting rod bearings. Silly bmw.

    • 4onthefloor 4onthefloor on Jan 30, 2021

      Just like to Porsche IMS bearing. Nothing like finding out you just bought a time bomb.

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