An unofficial BMW website has published rumours about what we can expect from the next M5, based on the latest F-10 5 Series.
Some of the tips are pretty much as expected, such as the use of a lighter twin-turbo V8 similar to that seen in the current X5 and X6 M, outputting around 570bhp. But if the rumours are to be believed, we can also expect to see some more surprising changes, including the use of an F1-esque kinetic energy recovery system. This would involve using an electric motor housed in the transmission to give driver-controlled torque boosts using energy recovered from braking.
Other rumours suggest that some body panels will be cast in carbon-fibre, with the option of a carbon-fibre roof, and even that the platform itself could be re-cast in aluminium. One of the less appetising rumours also suggests that only one gearbox will be available, and it will be some sort of semi-auto rather than the manual that most enthusiasts (surely the M5's core market!) crave.
The rumours emanate from some of the more respected users of the website's forums, but we know that more-or-less everything written on forums is true, right? You can judge for yourself by heading over to BimmerFile.
These whispers come after the one-off E60 M5 CSL was seen just a few weeks ago testing at the 'Ring, and you can bet your last Rolo that at least some of the technologies above were being tested on that Frankenstien mule. The F10 M5 is scheduled for a launch at Frankfurt in 2011, so we'll have to wait a while before we know for sure.