Photo Illustration by Nick Wilcox, automotiverenderings.blogspot.com
So now that the 2011 BMW 5 Series is out in the open, it's time to move on to the really good stuff. We're referring to the next BMW M5, of course, you know the one we spotted on the Nurburgring late last year?
Now that we know the final shape of the standard model it's not too hard to fill out the details on the Motorsport-tuned M5. Unlike the M3, the M5 is always a bit more subtle. A deeper front air dam, extended side skirting and four pipes out back are the obvious cues along with lightweight wheels and a quarter-panel badging.
The big inlets up front are needed to feed the twin-turbo power plant that will reside under the hood. We received confirmation on that one from a BMW executive last year, so the only real question at this point is the final output. The 4.4-liter V8 will be the same motor used in the current X5/X6M models, so the M5 is guaranteed at least 555 horsepower. And the chances of BMW leaving it at that are slim, so something more in the range of 570-590 horses is a good bet.
Various rumors have also indicated that BMW is considering some type of electric assist for this M5 e.g. a production KERS system of sorts. That may have changed in the last year or so now that BMW is no longer participating in Formula 1. We asked our sources inside BMW anyway and they didn't have much to say. So either it's not going to happen or it hasn't been fully approved at this point.
One thing that is for certain is the use of BMW's M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) in place of the current SMG setup. It could gain a gear over the M3's seven-speed setup, but either way it will be a huge upgrade over the single-clutch SMG.
Given that the standard 2011 BMW 5 Series is scheduled for its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, don't expect to see the 2012 M5 until either late this year or early in 2011.
redliner says:
04:45 PM, 02/ 1/10
Sexy BEAST!
inlinesix says:
05:26 PM, 02/ 1/10
redliner +1
carfreak8394 says:
08:00 PM, 02/ 1/10
YUMMY!
roadburner says:
08:12 PM, 02/ 1/10
One source tells me that the F10 M5 will feature several Efficient Dynamics features such as regenerative braking and engine shut-off. And 600 bhp may not be that far off the mark...
matt310 says:
09:25 PM, 02/ 1/10
Am I crazy, or do I see lots of Infiniti G35 sedan influence in those tail lights?
www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2004/Infiniti/100330757/2004.infiniti.g35.24015-E.jpg
wrinklebump says:
10:00 PM, 02/ 1/10
Always my favorite beemer.
thaitanium15 says:
10:30 PM, 02/ 1/10
Whoa.. whoa... and whoa.
akiforishin says:
01:58 AM, 02/ 2/10
"The 4.8-liter V8 will be the same motor used in the current X5/X6M models, so the M5 is guaranteed at least 555 horsepower."
I think edmunds staff should know by now that X5/X6 M have a 4.4 TT not 4.8 engine
bruceleroy81 says:
04:01 AM, 02/ 2/10
Wow...beautiful. I'm very impressed with it. I definitely don't see any trash talkin or hatin here about this car. It looks exactly the way a sports sedan should look like. Nice job for BMW.
twittavelli says:
05:09 AM, 02/ 2/10
Yeah it looks nice but Matt310 is certainly correct there are heavy heavy cues of infinity here in the tail lights and don't respect that.
frank908 says:
05:17 AM, 02/ 2/10
Um, this is just a rendering. I'll reserve my praise until I see what BMW is offering, not Edmunds.com
It's definitely a sporty looking car, but it's far from ground breaking in design.
For God sakes, it's a four-door sedan. It's only banker-sexy. Or real-estate-broker-sexy. I sure a sh*t would rather be seen in the M3.
kymerik says:
05:26 AM, 02/ 2/10
+1 on the X5/X6 having 4.4L and not 4.8L...who the hell's editing these posts?
Next:
Infinity = speakers
Infiniti = car
roadburner says:
05:29 AM, 02/ 2/10
wrinklebump;
Beemer= BMW Motorcycle
Bimmer= BMW car
audirs4 says:
05:47 AM, 02/ 2/10
nice car. but not sure I get 600hp RWD cars. Almost too much power.
I'll take AWD, please, with that.
dougtheeng says:
06:21 AM, 02/ 2/10
I think the new 5-series is the best looking example of this new BMW design. In the 7-series, it looks sloppy and melty but it comes across well in the 5. The previous (ie pre-2010) 5 series was just awful in my opinion. In particular, the front end was a disaster.
wikiwiki says:
07:34 AM, 02/ 2/10
AMAZING!! Another over-powered super sedan that nobody can afford!! So sweet!!
fuhteng says:
08:03 AM, 02/ 2/10
Wow. When did BMW hire someone with eyes to draw their cars? The old 7 and 5, and the new 1 and 7 are less than attractive. This one looks darned good. I'm impressed. I still think turbos violate what it means to be an M, and I can't imagine the fuel economy is going to be worth a darned putting out 550+ hp, so what is the purpose of turbos?
cjw88 says:
08:51 AM, 02/ 2/10
The horsepower wars continue! Just like they did before the EFI conversion. I just wonder how long until the electric powertrain conversion. I see it coming!
e34bmwlover says:
08:56 AM, 02/ 2/10
I wonder if it's going to have AWD like their SAVs on steroids. 555-600 HP is just pushing the envelope too much, it'll be useless on anything other than perfect weather and under 60MPH.
cr_driver says:
09:05 AM, 02/ 2/10
Too much, just too much.
Amazing
Awesome
v8vroom says:
09:20 AM, 02/ 2/10
"Am I crazy, or do I see lots of Infiniti G35 sedan influence in those tail lights?"
That was the first thing I thought. Every other angle though, is pure 5 series. Great design.
joefrompa says:
09:57 AM, 02/ 2/10
I just want to say that it's sleazy for edmunds main page to say "2012 M5 First Look" when that is completely inaccurate. I hate misleading headlines made for traffic.
hondacura4 says:
11:52 AM, 02/ 2/10
X5M = 555hp/500ftlbs
I'm assuming:
M5 = 590-600hp/550ftlbs. Pure BEAST!
dhk206 says:
03:40 PM, 02/ 2/10
Actually for those of you who think the taillights look like the Infiniti's, it's actually the other way around. BMW has been using the "L-shaped" taillights for decades, and the G sedan and coupe closely resemble the E46 3-series.
financeman2 says:
05:07 PM, 02/ 2/10
Ok.....when I win the lottery this will be the car for me. Incredible.
amaciejewski says:
05:11 PM, 02/ 2/10
I think it's funny how BMW is only now using L shaped taillights. Infiniti sure was looking to the future with those. However, the new M5 should truly be the pacesetter for the segment. It should be loaded with aluminium to keep the weight to a (feasible) limit. If anything, it's a shame that the old V10 is being ditched for a TTV8. That V10 is/was so exotic.
dino6 says:
05:53 PM, 02/ 2/10
This is just an Edmunds, "make up a story" piece. Move on folks, there's nothing here.
jmaroun says:
09:05 PM, 02/ 2/10
oh great, it got bigger. looks like a 7 series
zoomzoomn says:
05:02 AM, 02/ 3/10
BMWs that look like BMWs again! Thank goodness and hallelujah!!!
way2goslick says:
09:43 PM, 02/ 3/10
Not bad...it's not a true performance ride like my Civic Si. My buddies gotz one and wants to trade me str8 up for my bad azz Civic Si. I say naww. His car is just aw-ight. Mine is tight yo. Puh-eece!
Fiifi says:
11:56 AM, 02/ 4/10
Time to upgrade my M5 to this sexy thing!
hondacura4 says:
12:06 PM, 02/ 4/10
"Not bad...it's not a true performance ride like my Civic Si. My buddies gotz one and wants to trade me str8 up for my bad azz Civic Si. I say naww. His car is just aw-ight. Mine is tight yo. Puh-eece!"
Please tell me your being sarcastic? An M5....hell any generation M5 will crush an Si!
joliveira says:
05:17 PM, 02/ 4/10
I will miss the V10.
karthick says:
08:38 AM, 02/12/10
If their brief history with Turbo motors is any indication, it will be rated at 560-580 underrated HP. It will probably be making closer to 620 at the crank.
bruceleroy81 says:
08:20 AM, 02/13/10
As much as the V-10 sounded nice for most of us, it was still underpowered and still guzzled up the most fuel more than any other performance sedan, even the Cadillac CTS-V which was way more powerful. The twin-turbo V-8 makes much more sense for not only better fuel efficiency, but a 55 horsepower increase and 117 lb-feet of torque increase. And who knows how much better the engine sound might be compared to the V-10.
For Example....when the comparison test for current M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V were in play, they enjoyed the sound the V-10 M5 at first, BUT that was until they heard the DEEP unrelenting ROAR of the Cadillac CTS-V's supercharged V-8 and man-o-man I must admit, I was WAY more impressed with that than the screeching sound of the M5's V-10, and so were the guys who tested both cars.
Believe me. I think you guys will get over the whole V-10 thing.