Once we received confirmation that the 2011 BMW 5 Series was headed for the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, we knew it wouldn't be long before prototypes of the 2011 BMW M5 arrived at the Nürburgring.
Sure enough, our spy shooters recently snagged video of several different versions of the upcoming super sedan on the world's most difficult test track. Early versions wore a fabric bra to conceal the front end, but later test mules had uncovered front fascias that exposed sizable air intakes at each corner.
These appear to confirm that this M5 will use a turbocharged V8 in place of the current V10. Sources at BMW told us to expect just such an engine a couple weeks ago.
Those same sources didn't say exactly which engine the 2011 BMW M5 would use, but the most obvious choice would be BMW's new turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that debuted in the X5 M and X6 M. It develops 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque and could conceivably arrive tuned to produce even higher output. Then again, with the horsepower wars now taking a backseat to cleaner emissions and reduced fuel consumption, BMW may decide that 555 horses is more than enough.
We won't have to wait that long to find out, as the next-generation 2011 BMW M5 will most likely debut next summer or early fall.
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Fiifi says:
12:49 PM, 11/29/2010
All "spy" BMWs look the same. I drive an M5, I know.
alexfrank45 says:
03:07 PM, 06/09/2010
i can't wait to see this thing in person. i've lusted after m5's since i was ten
autopal says:
07:34 AM, 11/29/2009
I currently drive a BMW 335i with M sport package. I have driven them all, Lexus, Benz, Cadillac etc, and I can tell you that by far, BMW is the best if you enjoy driving. No car is faultless, and the interiors of Lexus and Audi are more luxurious, but overall, nothing compares to the steering feel of the Bimmer, or the way the car corners as if on rails. If you enjoy driving, it is indeed "The Ultimate Drving Machine!"
brettrun1 says:
12:45 PM, 11/19/2009
Hey nutsaboutcars, I hate to be "the grammar police", but it doesn't help you sound like a legitimate poster when you don't know the difference between there and their. And what's with all of the commas? Haven't you ever heard of a period? To badmouth BMW based on your experience with just one car seems like a bit of a stretch. BMW didn't get THEIR outstanding reputation by building cars with "crappy mechanicals" and "crappy customer service". They build some of the finest cars in the world and are regularly recognized as the world's benchmark. No car maker or car is perfect, but I doubt many (or any) have a more loyal customer base. There's a reason for that. The new M5 will surely be a beast.
nutsaboutcars says:
06:58 AM, 11/17/2009
Also you would think in this terrible enconomy that bmw would bend over backwoods to help there customers who can afford to lease a car like a 7 series,,I make my monthly lease payment to bmw on time every month with no problems and when there is a problem with the car they give you the run around,,Thats another thing that gets me about there crappy customer service,,,Bmw needs to concentrate on the the actual mechanics of the car instead of comming out with electronics that half the time dont work anyway,,,I said that to my service advisor and he even agreed
nutsaboutcars says:
06:50 AM, 11/17/2009
What BMW needs to do is put quality into the cars they build,,I have a 07 7 series on lease and thank god it goes back in a few months,,Because of this car I call Bmw broken motor works,,The ipod hookup never works properly along with other electronic features and mechanically this car is flawed for a 90 k car,,,,Bmw should concentrate on the quality of the mechanical components instead of comming out with changed styles of cars with the same crappy mechanicals,,,I here there are problems with there new 7 series,,You see when will they learn,,,I think my new ride is going to be from lexus not another broken motor works car
05redrex says:
08:36 PM, 10/06/2009
I hope it does not have a ~6000 rpm rev limiter and an automatic trans like the X5M etc. The old V10 revved to 8100 or so.