Up close and personal: The new BMW M5 and M4 CS

The legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, spectacular racing cars and round-the-clock hands-in-the-air vibe: That was how we passed our time last week as we witnessed the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race around the 25km-long track.

More importantly, we caught up with the 55-year old Vice President of Engineering at BMW M Dirk Haecker (DH) himself as he presented to us the BMW M4 CS - a car that was created to slot in nicely between the M4 GTS and the M4 Competition Package. However, since we already caught the M4 CS at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, we decided to squeeze in some relevant questions about the new BMW M5 instead to better understand the direction of M Division itself.

SGCM: What's the reason for the new BMW M5 being all-wheel drive?

DH: With the high horsepower figures on the M5, the limit of traction is of high importance. Plus, we want to have a typical M car, even though we have a good idea of doing it a different way so drivers will still get a good feeling of piloting a regular car with a 4x4 system. And there's a possibility to change the setup of the 4x4 system to better suit drivers' tastes. From our point of view, it's very important to get this characteristic.

SGCM: Is there a reason why the car is not equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox?

DH: I think it's not a discussion about which gearbox technology we use. It's more about performance. We look at the function of the car's system and how we can use that so the car's century sprint will be much faster than its predecessor, the F10 M5.

SGCM: How much faster are we talking about?

DH: The 0-100km/h sprint is completed in less than 3.5 seconds. So it's nearly one second faster than the previous model.

SGCM: What are your views on the future of BMW M cars going hybrid or electrified?

DH: We are certainly taking a look at that for performance reasons and also for better emissions. I think we have to do that because today if you say it's not necessary, you'll be wrong.

SGCM: Do you think this decision will eliminate purists?

DH: No. It's the same with the M5 being a 4x4. In fact I think it's the same scenario of having a naturally aspirated engine changed to a turbocharged one or like a hydraulic steering system swopped with an electric power steering system. The story will continue and the next generation of cars and their powertrains should include the consideration of electrification.