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By Jonathan Crouch

BMW's M5 CS aims to further redefine what a super saloon should be. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 65

BMW's M5 CS is the most powerful BMW M car ever, with 635hp, a rest to sixty time of just 3.0s and a top speed of 189mph. You'd really need track day membership to justify ownership of this super saloon - and its huge price tag - but if you're brave enough to push this V8 powerhouse to its ultimate limit, you won't be disappointed.

Backgroundword count: 133

It must have been quite a challenge for BMW to make their M5 Competition super saloon even more focused - but that's what we've got here with this car, the M5 CS. 'CS' originally stood on BMWs for either 'Club Sport' or 'Competition Sport' and the Bavarian marque has used this badge in recent years to identify various even faster versions of its full-M models - usually M3s and M4s. The result has tended to be machines really most suited to the track, but BMW assures us that this M5's remit as an uber-capable road car has been retained here. It gets a smaller weight reduction - and an even smaller power hike - but a range of detail engineering changes will please enthusiasts, particularly those looking to take this car on track.

Driving Experienceword count: 277

As we'll tell you later, this M5 CS costs significantly more than a standard M5 Competition, so what do you get that's different? Well, the most powerful engine that BMW makes for a start, this 4.4-litre V8 developing 635hp, so 62mph from rest takes 3.0s on the way to 189mph. Mind you, that's not much different to what you get with the standard M5 Competition (625hp, 62mph from rest in 3.3s and a limited top speed of 155mph). The Drivelogic-equipped M Steptronic 8-speed paddleshift auto transmission isn't much changed either. But BMW says you need to drill down into the detail here. The CS features a seven-millimetre drop in ride height compared to the standard model, plus it's 70kgs lighter and gets shock absorbers developed for the BMW M8 Gran Coupe. These reduce fluctuation in wheel loads, greatly improving on-the-limit handling. The bearing springs at the front and rear axle of the M5 CS have been retuned and damper control has also been refined in keeping with the lower vehicle weight and the bespoke Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres' increased performance potential. Plus the engine mounts get an upgraded spring rating, while the V8 itself gets optimised turbochargers and has maximum injection pressure of 350 bar for shorter injection times and improved atomisation of fuel. As in a normal M5 Competition, you can tailor the M xDrive 4WD system to your preference - via '4WD' and '4WD Sport' - or a '2WD' mode for pure rear wheel drive and circuit drifting. And of course there's the usual 'M-configuration' that allows you to alter stability settings, engine response, suspension and steering feel, with red wheel-mounted M short-cut buttons.

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