We’re back from Bukit Kiara Equestrian Park, where the BMW Malaysian Open 2012 women’s tennis event is happening. No, it’s not for the sport (Sweet Caroline and Dangerous Daniela not present, so never mind!) but for two hot models of the four wheeled variety. BMW Malaysia has unveiled the F10 M5 and new variants of the Z4 roadster.
Let’s start with the M5. This is the fifth generation car wearing the famous M5 badge, and from the E60′s 5.0L V10, M has followed the downsizing trend, using turbos to replace displacement. Under the hood sits a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. This engine has twin scroll turbos, a single exhaust manifold serving each cylinder bank, BMW’s HPI direct injection, Valvetronic infinitely variable inlet valve lift control and double Vanos.
All these combine to push out 560 hp and 680 Nm of torque. Despite being 600cc and two cylinders down on the old V10, power is up by 10% while torque is improved by 30%. 0-100 km/h is therefore done in just 4.3 seconds – this is an executive saloon that Ferraris need to beware of! Redline is at 7,200 rpm.
Power goes through a 7-speed M DCT twin-clutch transmission, which drives the rear axle’s Active M Differential. Consuming an average of 9.9 litres of petrol per 100 km, the F10 M5 is 30% more frugal – this, combined with a larger 80L fuel tank, translates to a range extension of more than 50%. BMW Efficient Dynamics features such as brake energy regeneration and auto start/stop are standard.
And as noted in our post two days ago, where we saw the M5 in covers, BMW Malaysia chose the multi-spoke 19-inch wheels instead of the star spoke 20-inch items. The wheels hide blue painted 6-pot brake calipers. The signature colour seen here is Monte Carlo Blue.
We’ve already put up a comprehensive post on the F10 M5 with a mega high res gallery – click here to link to it. The M5 is priced at RM898,800 on the road, without insurance and BMW Service Inclusive + Repair. The E60 M5 came in years ago at RM888k.
Moving on, the second-gen E89 Z4 roadster is now available in two new variants – the sDrive20i and sDrive28i M Sport. Both feature N20 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines with direct injection and BMW TwinPower Turbo.
This same engine, in similar states of tune, were recently put into the F10 5-Series as well. Insisting on a normally aspirated straight-six? You’ll have to get a used BMW then!
The 20i model has 184 hp and 270 Nm, good for 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The 28i meanwhile gets 245 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and is capable of doing the century sprint in 5.7 seconds. The claimed combined FC figure for both models is 6.8 litres per 100 km.
The new four-pot engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles, replacing the six-speed auto of old. Brake energy regeneration is standard. The Z4 sDrive20i is priced at RM358,800, while the 28i M Sport will set you back RM488,800. Prices are OTR without insurance, but with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair.
© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.
This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Thu, 01 Mar 12 10:55:16 +0000.
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