Many people are content to drive a BMW just the way it is – but what fun is that? Most who are looking to spice it up will take it to Hamann Motorsport – one of the top import tuners. They will make your car (whatever it is) and have it driving like a supercar in no time.
This BMW M5 was taken to Hamann – which was re-named the ‘Edition Race’ – was given wheelarch extensions, spoilers, big wheels and a more noticeable aggressive stance that is bound to add some presence. The front spoiler was given a larger central air intake with mesh grille and brake cooling ducts. Either side of the bumper has been drawn out in order to join together with the contoured box arches. This is what helps to create the teardrop shape.
Wind tunnel testing has proven that the new side skirts lessen turbulence around the tires – which in turn improves the drag coefficient. The rear arch extensions are two-piece.
There is one on the rear door and a
lso one on the rear wings. Together they connect to make the new rear bumper with its big cut-out for the four exhaust tips and small diffuser aerofoil below. The rear window rooftop spoiler helps to clean up separating air before it spills down to the one-piece trunklid spoiler.
When it came to the wheelarches Hamann recommended its own-design 21-inch wheels: nine inches wide up front, 10.5 at the rear with 255/30-21 and 295/25-21 tires. Because the original M5 already had a perfectly calibrated active damping system – which makes for a good balance in ride/handling – Hamann chose to use carefully-rated lowering spring set that will drop the height of the ride 1.2 inches in the front and back. For the brakes they went with their big brake kit uses 15-inch vented discs in front, clamped by massive eight-pot alloy calipers.
With the new tires and the extra boost of handling and grip Hamann was forced to give the M5 more power. Without it the car would drag down from all the weight. They took three important steps to give it the power it needed.
First thing they did was to get rid of the 155 mph top speed limiter - so an otherwise standard car in peak condition can reach 200 mph. But Hamann’s 20- or 21-inch wheel-and-tire combinations limit that to 186 mph, illustrating the negative impact that drag from larger footwear has on straight-line performance.
The second thing they did was a comprehensive ECU remap. This optimizes the fuel and ignition curves and adds an extra 30 bhp and 11 lb-ft of torque. This only applies in countries where good quality fuel of at least 98 octane is available to anyone.
The third thing they did was a much more significant 60 bhp, but more important is the 40 lb-ft increase in torque. They were able to achieve this by opening up the breathing with a sport air filter, while exhaust backpressure is reduced by equal-length exhaust headers, sport catalytic converters and three-inch diameter free-flow exhaust pipes with four outlets.
After they had worked their magic on the exterior and the mechanics of the vehicle they decided it was time to give the interior the new design it deserved. Now that it could drive like a race car that had to make sure that the inside reflected this.
Red Alcantara was used on the door inserts and center panels of the black leather seats. They embroidered the Hamann logo on each of the headrests (leaving its proud mark). They used matching carbon fiber and applied it to the dashboard, center console, doorpulls and steering wheel.