The BMW M5 E60 remains a favorite among car enthusiasts not for its controversial design, but rather for what lies in its engine compartment.
It’s the only M5 offered with a naturally aspirated V10, which was designed specifically for it and for its coupe sibling, the M6.
The 5.0-liter V10 churns out an impressive 507PS (500hp) and 520Nm (384lb-ft) of torque, and is mated to a seven-speed automated manual transmission. It’s worth mentioning that BMW offered a six-speed stick shift only to the USA, which is a bit strange given America’s love for automatic gearboxes.
Its performance is impressive even by today’s standards: 0-100km/h (0-62mph) is dispatched in just 4.7 seconds and top speed is electronically limited at 250km/h (155mph). And that’s for a car that has a curb weight of more than 1,800kg (3,968lbs).
Around the same time, another car with a naturally aspirated V10 was also produced. It was the Gallardo LP560-4, whose engine had a displacement of 5.2 liters and, with 560PS (552hp) and 540Nm (398lb-ft) of torque, was definitely more powerful.
Obviously, the Raging Bull’s exotic is faster, with just 3.7 seconds for the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) sprint and a top speed of 325km/h (202mph). It also gets four-wheel drive, unlike the Bimmer’s rear-wheel drive-only configuration.
So, how do these two machines compare in a rolling drag race? Answering this question is a short video shot from inside the Gallardo.
If the comparison seems unfair, then the fact that the M5 features a tuned ECU and a new exhaust equals the playing field a bit. Is that enough, though, for it to keep up with the Lambo? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s ny clicking the play button below.