Thursday 15th October 2009

Next BMW M5 Caught On Video

Munich's next super-saloon spotted at the Nurburgring

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2011 M5 will get a twin-turbo V8

The next-generation BMW M5 has been spotted lapping the Nordschleife.

As the pair of development cars pounding the Nurburgring in this video (below) reveal, the next M5 - which is due in 2011 - will retain the trademark M-car quad exhaust pipes, although these have been moved out to the edge of the bumper.

What won't be carried over is the current M5's V10 powerplant. That will be replaced by a turbocharged V8, most likely a unit closely related to the twin-scroll, twin-turbo 4.4-litre unit from the X6 and X5 M models, so expect a power out put of around 540-550bhp (the X6 M gets 547bhp).

Unlike the big M-SUVs, the M5 will be rear-wheel drive rather than four-wheel drive, with power fed to the wheels via a six-speed manual (thank goodness) or BMW's Seven-speed DCT twin-clutch transmission.

Despite the heavy disguise, it's clear that the new 5-series will be a bigger car than its predecessor, with more flowing lines. Despite the larger dimensions, however, BMW insiders say that there will be no weight gain over the current car's 1830kg kerb weight.

[Not Ideal]

errr....WANT.

Hope it makes a good noise.

[Zod]

Please, BMW, make it a bit lighter. It may not be that heavy by the standards of today's market, but I'd pay extra for lightweight materials that would knock off 100kg.

[gumsie]

It sure does look nasty. (Even though as a BMW hater), I'll have to admit it will be very very good. Not enough rumble either. Mind you that could be down to Youtube or the camera I suppose.

Edited by gumsie on Thursday 15th October 11:19

[Vixpy1]

Zod said:

Please, BMW, make it a bit lighter. It may not be that heavy by the standards of today's market, but I'd pay extra for lightweight materials that would knock off 100kg.

You got an Order in yet?

[triggersbroom]

Hope they improve on their paintwork, and bother to paint the insides of the bonnet and boot for a change.

Penny pinching fkers!

[Walton]

Shame their dropping the V10 - that sound was pretty unique.

[obscene]

That sounds beasty

[CypherP]

Did like the V10 noise of previous models, but the clip about 30 secs in does sound quite nice on the exit.

[daveco]

Zod said:

Please, BMW, make it a bit lighter. It may not be that heavy by the standards of today's market, but I'd pay extra for lightweight materials that would knock off 100kg.

It doesn't look too light in the video. It seems to sit on its wheels rather than the hunkered down look of its predecessors. Give me an E39/E60 derivative any day!

[Zod]

Vixpy1 said:

Zod said:

Please, BMW, make it a bit lighter. It may not be that heavy by the standards of today's market, but I'd pay extra for lightweight materials that would knock off 100kg.

You got an Order in yet?

I keep meaning to do it. I've been telling myself never to buy a new one again, but....

[John Galt]

gumsie said:

It sure does look nasty. (Even though as a BMW hater), I'll have to admit it will be very very good. Not enough rumble either. Mind you that could be down to Youtube or the camera I suppose.

Edited by gumsie on Thursday 15th October 11:19

The turbos will have dulled the sound (one of the many downsides to turbocharging, IMO).

I've never really understood why manufacturers force-feed large capacity V8's (and upwards). You lose all the character of what makes a V8 great (that sound ), and introduce all the downsides of a charged set-up, not least of which being added heat, weight and unreliability. It's actually a very lazy solution to get big numbers, pure and simple.

[GKP]

John Galt said:

The turbos will have dulled the sound (one of the many downsides to turbocharging, IMO).

I've never really understood why manufacturers force-feed large capacity V8's (and upwards). You lose all the character of what makes a V8 great (that sound ), and introduce all the downsides of a charged set-up, not least of which being added heat, weight and unreliability. It's actually a very lazy solution to get big numbers, pure and simple.

Not that simple nowadays I'm afraid. Today is all about emissions. Turbocharged small(er) capacity engines will always produce less taxable gasses than a stonking great big lump. BMW, along with all other manufacturers, will face heavy financial penalties if their overall stinky gas content is above a certain level.

[sprinter1050]

Strikes me as a bit odd that camera-boy seemed to always be in just the right place at the right time-especially the in-town shots ??

As far as the noise goes, there are few cars that sound as stimulating as the M6 circuit car used at MotoGP rounds. Absolutely glorious

[iluvmercs]

Was some of that footage taken on Tuesday, by any chance?
I noticed on a test day, there was a similar BMW flying around the circuit.

Darren

[fluffyducky]

GKP said:

John Galt said:

The turbos will have dulled the sound (one of the many downsides to turbocharging, IMO).

I've never really understood why manufacturers force-feed large capacity V8's (and upwards). You lose all the character of what makes a V8 great (that sound ), and introduce all the downsides of a charged set-up, not least of which being added heat, weight and unreliability. It's actually a very lazy solution to get big numbers, pure and simple.

Not that simple nowadays I'm afraid. Today is all about emissions. Turbocharged small(er) capacity engines will always produce less taxable gasses than a stonking great big lump. BMW, along with all other manufacturers, will face heavy financial penalties if their overall stinky gas content is above a certain level.

Its a bit like that window tax from pre sepia days when they would brick up windows to save money. A not particularly ideal solution to a taxation problem.

[Vixpy1]

Zod said:

Vixpy1 said:

Zod said:

Please, BMW, make it a bit lighter. It may not be that heavy by the standards of today's market, but I'd pay extra for lightweight materials that would knock off 100kg.

You got an Order in yet?

I keep meaning to do it. I've been telling myself never to buy a new one again, but....

Do it

[Lucozade]

sprinter1050 said:

Strikes me as a bit odd that camera-boy seemed to always be in just the right place at the right time-especially the in-town shots ??

As far as the noise goes, there are few cars that sound as stimulating as the M6 circuit car used at MotoGP rounds. Absolutely glorious

Yeah how many cameras were in place at the right time to take the shots !

[328iGT]

Looks like the BMW M7 to me, they always humoured about making one.

looks like the body of the current 7 even if it's 5 series running gear to me.

[looop]

I was at the ring a couple of weeks ago and spotted it then,

[triggersbroom]

Still a lot of E60 about it, with a kind of fastback profile?