- The first official photos of the redesigned BMW M5 have been leaked on various Web sites in Europe and North America.
- The production version of the car makes its public debut next week at the BMW M Festival that precedes the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
- Unofficial specs posted on several Web sites indicate the new M5's twin-turbo V8 will make 552 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
MUNICH, Germany — The first official photos of the redesigned BMW M5 have been leaked on various Web sites in Europe and North America, ahead of the car's public unveiling next week at the BMW M Festival that precedes the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Judging from the photos, the new M5 will vary little from the so-called Concept M5 that was unveiled in April at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.
Unofficial specifications posted by German car magazine Auto Zeitung and other Web sites indicate the M5's twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 will deliver 552 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. BMW has confirmed the V8 in the new M5 will be mated to a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission with Drivelogic (a six-speed manual will likely be available as an option in the U.S.).
According to Auto Zeitung, 0-60 acceleration will take less than 4.5 seconds, and an M Drivers package will hike top speed to 190 mph.
The car will ride on low-profile performance tires — 265/35ZR20s in front and 295/30ZR20s in the rear — mounted on double-spoke alloy rims. A new feature is active M differential with torque vectoring.
The new M5 arrives in November in Germany and should reach U.S. showrooms next spring, most likely as a 2012 model.
Inside Line says: Pricing has not been finalized, but look for a sub-$100,000 sticker in the States.
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shawn3003 says:
10:29 AM, 09/07/2011
the style is not really over the top... but its a very nice car to at add cosmetic mods to and drive around and show off.. i wish i could afford it but can't boo hoo. hopefully mustang gt or camaro ss will update there powertrain soon again.. that's my price range :D
bimmerd says:
05:50 AM, 06/18/2011
First three things that caught my eyes:
1) The side vent/indicator/badge needs to have a blacked out surround, not chrome. Even then, it reminds a LOT of a Pontiac G8.
2) The engine bay is actually interesting to look at! Intakes, intercoolers, other plumbing. I like it.
3) Hmmmm...those sure look like like 6-pot capliers up front to me.
2fst says:
05:36 PM, 06/16/2011
stingray454, i can't stand people who say they would by a cadillac over an new bmw M5 if they both cost the same. Sorry, but that's ridiculous and makes you look envious. I don't know anybody who would do that. I'm not saying your car doesn't perform but its a gocart when compared to even a vanilla 5 series.
stingray454 says:
07:11 AM, 06/16/2011
It's decent looking on the outside, but a bit conservative. The interior is VERY plain though, in typical BMW fashion. It's downright boring looking - puts me to sleep just looking at it. And without any wood or other expensive trim, the dash looks a little cheap, especially with the old school radio and climate controls with the small amber display and tiny buttons.
We'll see what the performance numbers look like, but so far, I'm a bit underwhelmed by them. This car won't get me out of my '10 CTS-V even if it was the same price, and certainly not for $30k more.
richcal says:
02:00 PM, 06/15/2011
Not impressed with the styling.
gmhl10 says:
11:38 AM, 06/15/2011
Thank you BMW for bringing out a M5 that isn't as hideous as the previous E60 M5.
Then again, how could they have possibly done any worse than the worst of the worst Chris Bangle designs...
aston_dbs says:
11:10 AM, 06/15/2011
Is it just me or the car seems having a bit too much body roll?
Unlike the M3, too bad that the updated 'M' bumpers cannot really help the overall design of the 5 series
I still love the previous M5...
chamo says:
10:21 AM, 06/15/2011
It looks a bit plain. Oh well, I am sure it's gonna be a good car either way.
felonious says:
09:23 AM, 06/15/2011
Hyundai Sonata what?
dieseled says:
09:16 AM, 06/15/2011
Front looks like a bigger 3-series