There's a very fortunate coincidence going on with the testing schedule of the 2012 BMW M5 and the commuting schedule of one of our guys. Seems like once a week he's rolling into the office with new spy photos of BMW's newest super sedan.
Last time we had details on the fixed calipers, 265/40ZR19 and 295/35ZR19 Pirelli P-Zero tires and the intercoolers. Today it's even better.
That's right, this new car is sporting the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires in the same size as before. These are the same tires (albeit smaller) that Chevy ran on the 2012 Corvette ZR1 for its sub-7:20 Nurburgring lap. Oh, right we also saw that this car was equipped with a manual transmission. (Photographic proof -- or else it didn't happen -- after the jump.)
As our man sidled up to the passenger side, the driver grabbed a traditional gearshift lever, popped the car into reverse and backed away as we continued shooting. The reports from BMW have said that the 2012 M5 would come with BMW's dual-clutch DCT only, but rumors have been circulating that a manual was being considered for the U.S. market.
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The H-pattern is covered leading some to speculate that there may be more than 6-gears, but most likely they're simply covering the M-badge.
This 2012 BMW M5 prototype with a traditional manual proves that they're beyond the "considering" stage.
revn says:
02:26 PM, 06/13/11
Oh, the red button there kid, don't ever, ever touch the red button!
roadburner says:
02:47 PM, 06/13/11
I hope selecting the manual doesn't keep the driver from totally disabling the safety nannies as is the case with the E60 M5.
n8dawg says:
03:11 PM, 06/13/11
Mike, the sub 7:20 Ring time for the ZR1 came from using Pilot Sport Cups, not Super Sports.
Mike Magrath replied to comment from n8dawg
03:14 PM, 06/13/11
Damn. You're right. Good catch.
-mm
cjasis says:
03:22 PM, 06/13/11
Very cool. While I appreciate the technology and engineering in today's cutting edge, computer controlled transmissions, I still love rowing an "old school" three pedal gearbox.
Save the manuals!
bimmerjay says:
04:09 PM, 06/13/11
"I hope selecting the manual doesn't keep the driver from totally disabling the safety nannies as is the case with the E60 M5."
That was done to protect the drivetrain. A 6MT was not originally intended to be fitted to the E60 M5 and ended up being hastily added after launch. With DSC completely disabled they had axle tramp problems so there was the need to keep some electronic intervention to manage wheelspin off the line. With the SMG transmission, even with DSC fully off the transmission controls the clutch plate actuation to prevent it. I believe the issue was resolved midway through production and newer M5's can disable it fully, but don't quote me on that.
Given all that, I wouldn't expect it to be an issue this time around as the 550i has fully defeatable DSC with the 6MT. On the M5, I'll wager the M-DCT will be standard and the 6MT will be a no-cost option.
notabigdeal says:
04:44 PM, 06/13/11
The question becomes will both transmissions come to America.
wr1020 says:
04:50 PM, 06/13/11
Rear end looks like an Infiniti.
jameswilliard says:
05:23 PM, 06/13/11
@notabigdeal:
The last manual transmission M5 and M6 models were ONLY availible in the US, apparently, the American market is more hell bent on saving the manuals than European markets.
justinlink says:
06:25 PM, 06/13/11
"apparently, the American market is more hell bent on saving the manuals than European markets."
perhaps on performance cars. you can't buy or rent a car in europe with an automatic without paying a ton extra. everything (at least in Spain) is a manual, especially diesels.
lowprofile says:
06:39 PM, 06/13/11
That shift knob looks cheaper than the stock one that came on my '03 Civic.
Yuck!
kosmo69 says:
07:08 PM, 06/13/11
the side vents looks like the the Kia's. cross drilled rotors? why not slotted?!!!
angry_mushroom says:
07:55 PM, 06/13/11
Talk about a low revving engine...
civilag says:
08:08 PM, 06/13/11
"That shift knob looks cheaper than the stock one that came on my '03 Civic.
Yuck!"
That shift knob is obviously a disguise, i.e. no BMW roundel.
"the side vents looks like the the Kia's. cross drilled rotors? why not slotted?!!!"
At least the side vents are real. But they kind of do look Kia-esque.
bimmerjay says:
08:14 PM, 06/13/11
"That shift knob looks cheaper than the stock one that came on my '03 Civic."
It's taped over... of course it looks cheap.
colorado1974 says:
09:03 PM, 06/13/11
Infinity called, they want their butt back. Subaru is holding on line 2 for their 1980's Brat stick shift.
Funny how all new BMW launches are met with criticism.
tjpark01 says:
09:20 PM, 06/13/11
Ze button. Oh yes...It ejects the 99 lufballons in ze trunk.
m8knitbtr says:
07:20 AM, 06/14/11
Are the small sensors at the leading edge of the front fender wells distance sensors or side view cameras? I've seen some Japanese brand vehicles will this feature. Does BMW already have this or is this new technology?
kevm14 says:
08:11 AM, 06/14/11
I complained about the lack of manual before, but with this new engine, perhaps a manual isn't the best match anyway. Your right foot asks for torque, you turn, you brake. But the intricacies of rev matching downshifts or controlling your upshifts and downshifts to not upset the chassis in mid corner (if you really need to shift) are lost and the car does it for you. This is so you can concentrate on the more important things. Such as texting.
roadburner says:
08:35 AM, 06/14/11
bimmerjay;
I understand why they neutered the MT E60 M5, I just think it's ludicrous to have to take a hit on performance in exchange for three pedals.
matt310 says:
09:09 AM, 06/14/11
I dunno...it's not tickling the senses despite the overall exterior design being better than the E60. Looks kind of...big. Also: Wow, good to know that smallish rear brakes don't take away from their ability to cake the wheels with dust.
e90_m3 says:
10:09 AM, 06/14/11
"It's taped over... of course it looks cheap."
Some people just live to complain, don't you think?
unpolire says:
01:47 AM, 09/15/11
"Are the small sensors at the leading edge of the front fender wells distance sensors or side view cameras?"
Introduced on the 7-Series, they are the side-view cameras.