This was bound to happen soon enough. Seemingly not content with 600hp and 190mph, tuners are already setting to work on extracting more power from the BMW M5. It all makes sense, really: the engine is familiar (if revised) from the previous car, it's far easier to extract big power from turbocharged engines, and four-wheel drive gives the M5 a fighting chance of deploying the power. Why wouldn't you make a fast car even faster still?
That's the logic behind Manhart's latest creation, the MH5 700. Described by its maker as combining "the luxury of the F90 with the performance and drama of a real supercar", the MH5 is actually underselling its power output. Because while the name implies 700hp, it's actually rated at 723, along with 642lb ft; Manhart claims that's enough to complete 62-124mph (100-200km/h) in 5.9 seconds. Even with the standard 3.4-second 0-62 dash, that would make for a 9.3-second run from a start to 124mph. Anything that dips below 10 seconds even to 100mph is pretty brisk, so that really is a remarkable time.
Amazingly Manhart says the additional 123hp and 89lb ft comes just from an ECU reflash, its own 'MHtronik' control module unshackling the V8 from its factory constraints. (Which begs the question, what happens when tuners start using bigger turbos?)
Additional modifications for the MH5 include a set of KW coilovers, a new stainless steel exhaust system (with carbon tips), a huge rear diffuser, Manhart logos inside and a host of carbon body bits. Apparently the trademark Manhart carbon bonnet is still in development, though - as you can quite plainly see - the gold decals are present and correct.
Manhart says its MH5 is "the answer" to those who want a little more character from their M5, that it's "the perfect choice for someone who just wants to have the one car that does it all!" Alpina may have something to say about that, but another fast 5 Series in the world doesn't sound like bad news to us. And the price? Nothing is confirmed yet, so let's just go with a lot more than an M5, just to be sure...
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