The new BMW M5 photos leaked

Not wanting to wait until April 19^th (press day) for the Shanghi Auto Show, BMW has released photos, but few specific details about the next generation (F10) M5. It’s certain to be more powerful and more efficient but the cost and when you can place your order is still unknown.  

The M5 concept car you’re looking at is almost certainly a 99% complete production example of what you’ll see in BMW showrooms in the coming months.  Compared to the standard 5-Series sedan (saloon), the new M5 sits lower on a sophisticated adjustable sports suspension and rides on 20” double-spoke alloy wheels.  Behind those front wheels are huge cross-drilled rotors and massive (possibly 6 or 8 piston) brake calipers. It’s likely production M5 wheels will come in silver, with the black finish being an optional extra.  The M5 also has a more aggressive blacked-out honeycomb design lower front fascia with larger intake scoops. The front fenders (wings) feature vents styled after the current M3.  Around back, there’s a diffuser, small trunk (boot lid) spoiler and, of course, the M signature quad-exhaust tips. All the M body cladding is supposed to be functional, adding cooling and downforce, no doubt tested repeatedly at the Nürburgring. 

V10 power is gone. The new M5 will get its M-Power from a twin turbocharged V8, likely derived from the 4.4-liter engine currently powering the X5/6 M trucks.  BMW did not release performance figures but we estimate it will make something like 570 to 600 horsepower. BMW does say the new V8 engine is 25% more efficient than the old V10, which returned around 13 mpg (mixed driving).  All that power is routed to rear wheels via a new seven-speed dual clutch paddle-shift transmission and an M-sport active differential. 

Interior details remain a mystery as the M5’s windows were blacked out. However, one can expect to see plenty of fine leather, alcantra, aluminum, carbon fiber and BMW Motorsport tri-color stitching throughout.  The new M5 will bristle with technology. Like the previous M5, you can expect to see at least 3 different programmable driving modes, which will alter suspension, steering, transmission and engine mapping. 

Specific pricing, options and availability have not been announced.  Looking at the previous M5 with a base price of around $85K (US) should give you and your loan officer an indication of MSRP.  Europe will the get the new M5 first, sometime this fall and the US should start seeing them in showrooms following spring (2012).  Autoviva will bring you updates as we receive them.