2006 BMW M5

The chassis is a steel unit body with four-wheel independent suspension (multi-link in back) and electronically controlled shock absorbers. The stabilizer bars are adjustable with the assistance of a servo technology BMW refers to as Active Roll Stabilization. Cars with high roll stiffness better utilize all tire contact patches during cornering, but comfort levels decrease as do warning times when the tires run out of grip. Hence, the Active Roll Stabilization flattens the ride as the M5 goes into its "M" mode (it can also operate in a more relaxed mode during everyday driving). In fact, owners can program many of these dynamic characteristics to their liking.

M Power

This BMW's litany of features is so long that it would take a dossier to describe them all. For control-hungry high achievers, that's just right. Some of the M5's electronic features include drive-by-wire throttle and transmission controls, a GPS-based navigation system, and a BMW Assist Telematics system that allows users to make personal calls—concierge and reservations services included, of course—which also automatically call for help if involved in an accident. On the exterior are auto-leveling and adaptive (they turn with the steering) xenon headlights with high-pressure washers, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. And that's only a fraction of the list.


Bottom line, the BMW M5 is a stupendous high-performance sedan with an equally stupendous array of engineering, electronic, and luxury features. Sometime later in this century, when our ascendants are all running around in high-fiber nitrogen/cauliflower-powered recyclable shuttles, historians may look back and regard cars like the M5 as the zenith of retched excess. Let's just hope there's one left with a half-full tank of gas and a key. Once they bend it into Willow Spring's Turn Eight at 130 mph, they still may not like it, but at least they'll understand. (www.bmwusa.com)