By: Dave Abrahams
Midrand - It says a lot for BMW's faith in this country's petrolheads that it has authorised a special edition of just 20 extra-potent fifth-generation M5s, exclusive to South Africa, at an eye-watering R1 948 000 each.
So what exactly do you get for two bar?
To start with, you get more power. The M5 Pure Metal Edition's 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 has been tweaked with a bit more boost and revised ECU software to deliver a quoted 441kW and 700Nm - that's 29kW more than the standard M5 and 18kW than you get with the optional Competition Package.
CHASSIS MODS
That not only puts it right at the top of the 5 Series food chain as the most powerful street-legal M5 yet to come out of the M skunk works, it'll take you from 0-100 in 3.9 seconds and on to 305km/h flat out.
But power is nothing without control, so you also get the Competition Package chassis mods as standard issue. The car rides 10mm lower on firmer springs and damper tuning, while a modified active M differential with its own control unit helps improve traction.
The Servotronic steering has more direct mapping and all the M Dynamic Mode parameters of the dynamic control system have been amped up a notch or two to make the throttle response sharper, the ride flatter, and the engine rev harder through the gears.
Plus you get carbon ceramic brakes. Of course.
LOOKING THE PART
The signature colour for the M5 Pure Metal Edition is a special metallic silver and it rolls on 20 inch M double-spoked alloy rims.
Driver and front passenger are firmly supported by M Sport multifunction seats upholstered in fine-grain black merino leather with siver-grey contrast stitching, and there's a special numbered “PURE METAL M5” plaque set into the dark grey aluminium trim.
And just for a bit of extra Wow Factor, you get the Comfort Access feature with smart opener, driving assist and lumbar support.
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