If German super saloons are your thing, then the Manhart MH5 GTR is certainly worth a look. Here’s all you need to know about this pumped-up M5 CS.
Fresh out the box, the BMW M5 CS is pretty hard to beat in its class, but that hasn’t stopped this German tuning firm from putting their own spin on it.
Manhart are no strangers to building bonkers versions of BMW’s most premium offerings – just check out the MH3 Touring we featured recently. This, however, is on another level. On paper, the MH5 GTR has all the credentials to be one of the best super saloons on the planet. But how much of a good thing is too much? Let me explain…
As standard, the BMW M5 CS that we all know and love produces a rather spectacular 635hp from its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. That, already, is surely more than enough power for a practical saloon, no? Well, Manhart would disagree, as the engine is one of the key areas they’ve targeted for tuning.
The Manhart MH5 GTR uses the same 4.4-litre V8 as the regular CS, but there’s a few extra goodies added into the mix too. For example, you get a carbon air intake, and there’s a whole range of exhaust options to choose from. The stainless steel performance exhaust (complete with valve control) is likely to be the most popular option, but you can also get track-spec downpipes with no cats, or OPF-delete pipes if you so wish – just bear in mind, those options aren’t road-legal in many places.
The biggest power gains come from Manhart’s bespoke MHTronik ECU though. When everything comes together, you’re looking at a maximum power output of 788hp – that’s a 153hp increase! Torque is up too, from 750Nm (553 lb ft) to 935Nm (690 lb ft).
To go along with the extra oomph, the Manhart MH5 GTR comes equipped with a set of KW coilovers for better poise in the bends, while the standard rims have been swapped out for a unique set of 10-spokes. Those come wrapped in 265/30 ZR21 and 305/25 ZR21 Michelin rubber.
The Manhart badging and decal treatment hasn’t been skimped on either, and you can opt for either carbon or ceramic coated exhaust tips.
So, what do you reckon then: too much, or just enough?
