Akrapovic Fixes One Of The New BMW M5’s Biggest Flaws

A BMW M5 isn’t typically the type of vehicle that needs tuning, but because of regulations on noise and emissions, the latest M5 has an exhaust that sounds a little more subdued than what you’d expect from a super sedan or wagon packing 717 horsepower. Much of what you hear in the cabin is generated sound, and when you switch this off, the natural sound of the exhaust will definitely leave you wanting. Akrapovic has a solution.

Fortunately, the Slovenian company whose exhausts have featured on a number of high-end cars straight from the factory – including the Koenigsegg Regera – has developed an aftermarket titanium exhaust for the new M5. It can fit both the sedan and M5 Touring wagon, and replaces the rear section of the stock exhaust system.

Akrapovic Boosts Power And Enhances Sound

The exhaust has larger diameter pipes to improve flow, along with valves to let the driver adjust the sound levels. There are also what Akrapovic refers to as acoustic reflectors, designed to reflect part of the sound toward the cabin. According to the company, dyno testing of an M5 with the exhaust, back to back with a stock M5, yielded an extra 7 hp and 18 lb-ft of torque at 2,050 rpm. Akrapovic also has a full exhaust system that skips the valves and has been designed for cars without gasoline particulate filters. This setup increases performance by 11.4 hp at 6,150 rpm and 11.5 lb-ft at 2,550 rpm.

The stock numbers for the M5’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 are 577 hp and 533 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with the output of the car’s plug-in hybrid system results in 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.

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Akrapovic said the installation for both systems is a simple plug-and-play affair, with no engine remapping needed.

Titanium Construction Helps Shed Pounds

The lighter weight of titanium versus the steel on the standard exhaust also results in weight savings of about 13.5 pounds. The full exhaust system saves 34 pounds. That isn’t going to be noticed considering the standard M5 weighs 5,390 pounds in sedan form, but any weight saving is good, right?

Buyers can choose between round or hexagonal-shaped tips, which can be dressed in carbon fiber. Akrapovic also offers its own carbon-fiber diffuser and lip spoiler (sedan only) to complement the exhaust system. Pricing information hasn’t been announced.

Sources: Akrapovic via BMW Blog