Vivid lists Agency Power as one of its big
names, so it’s hardly surprising to find that the car is positively bristling
with lightweight carbon-fibre parts from the AP catalogue. “The hood is a
carbon item with a built-in vented cowl,” says Rob. “It’s functional as well as
lightweight, extracting heat from the engine bay, and keeps an OEM-style look
while adding a bit of aggression.” You might have seen pictures circulating of
the F10 wearing this bonnet in a glossy unpainted finish although as you can see
it’s now been painted white in order to infuse an element of stealth. A neat
custom touch, however, was to leave bare carbon stripes on either side of the
bulge, and this is an aesthetic tweak that’s mirrored on the ducktail at the
rear. “The trunk is another Agency Power item, again in carbon-fibre,” Rob
explains. It’s a CSL-style affair and Vivid has left a subtle sweep of the dark
weave exposed along the trailing edge. These carbon items are complemented by
Agency Power’s aero-optimised lip spoiler at the front, and diffuser at the
rear, all of which coalesces to form an aggressive road-racer feel without
being too boisterous or in-your-face; after all, it would be a shame to dilute
that ethos of the original E28 M5 – the improbable power wrapped up in the
unassuming package. These body addenda are a casual nod to those in the know,
optimising the form rather than radically redefining it. What do you think – a
success? It works for us, that’s for sure.
BMW
M5 Rear View
Vivid’s CSL-centric concept actually makes
a lot of sense, too, when you think about it. Ever since the 3.0 CSL in 1972,
BMW has been building occasional limited runs of mainstream models that trim
away the fat, sharpen-up the corners and create the purest possible iteration
of the breed; the M3 CSL of 2004 is a case in point. With just 1400 built it’s
become a cult icon and the combination of the CFRP roof, thinner window glass,
carbon-fibre splitter and diffuser and, of course, that ducktail spoiler
transformed the E46 M3 into something otherworldly. And that’s what Vivid is
chasing after with its F10; spurred on by the knowledge that the new M5 is
rather heavier than its immediate predecessor, the guys are shearing off as
many pounds as possible in pursuit of perfection.
BMW
M5 Rear Light
The next logical step, then, is power. Now,
it could never be said that the F10 M5 is really wanting for horsepower. A
4.4-litre V8 is a formidable engine in itself. Strap on a couple of turbos and
you find yourself with something rather naughty, straining at the leash as it
struggles to contain its vast swells of torque. As it rolled off the forecourt,
this car had a stock 560hp and 502lb ft of torque, which is more than enough to
roll with the big boys. Indeed, it’s an identical power figure to a Lamborghini
Gallardo (although try getting two sets of golf clubs in the boot of one
those!) Still, when it comes to horsepower, there’s always room for
improvement… Step one came in the form of a little electronic trickery to
unleash some extra grunt. The VR Tuned ECU Tuning Box is a natty little gizmo
that throws an extra 50hp into the mix; brilliantly, it’s a simple plug ’n’
play system – that’s your warranty still intact, then – that alters fuelling
and timing whilst ramping up the boost a little, all keeping everything within
safe tolerances whilst providing a power figure that begins with a six. Which
is pretty sweet.
BMW M5 Interior
