BMW M535i: The car that spawned the BMW M5 (video)
BMW gives us a glimpse into its history with a look at the M535i
It’s common knowledge that many carmakers keep examples of some of their most distinctive and critically acclaimed vehicles in museums – pristine specimens of the company’s past, awarded their time in the spotlight.
What is less well known is that many manufacturers keep these cars in perfect working order, ready to wheel out at events and just occasionally, to appreciate in motion.
BMW has selected its immaculate M535i for just such a task, detailing the model’s history in a short video.
The M535i was the progenitor of the E28 BMW M5, a nameplate that debuted five years after the M535i. Then, as today, the recipe was simple: A larger, more powerful power unit was fitted in the standard 5-series engine bay, worked over by BMWs Motorsport division. The suspension too was uprated, a dogleg five-speed gearbox installed and subtle badging applied to the 5-series’ shark-nosed exterior.
The result was a 218bhp, a 7.5sec 0-62mph time and sports car troubling cornering capabilities. At the same time, the interior retained typical levels of comfort and refinement, though a smaller-diameter steering wheel and Recaro seats provided a more focused driving environment.
Check out BMW’s video above, and let us know your favourite generation of M5 – or M535i – in the comments section below.
