BMW’s new twin-turbo M5 shapes up
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 8th Jul 2010
In the meantime, BMW has provided a preview of what to expect at least visually from the fifth-generation M5, which will come with an even higher performance version of the twin-turbo V8 that powers the X5 and X6 M models, by revealing a new 5 Series M Sports Package.
The M Sports pack for both the sixth-generation (F10) 5 Series sedan, which went on sale here in June, and redesigned 5 Series Touring, which arrives here in October, has been confirmed for release in Australia, with production commencing in September.
Developed by BMW M GmbH, the newest M kit comprises M sports suspension, an M sports bodykit, 18-inch double-spoke M alloy wheels and the option of 19-inch M alloys and an M rear spoiler for the sedan.
Inside, the M-look Fives get Alcantara/fabric seat upholstery with contrasting seams and M badging, a leather-clad M steering wheel, BMW Individual anthracite headlining and M aluminium hexagon interior trim highlights.
While the outgoing M5, which was available in Europe in both sedan and wagon body styles, was powered by a Formula One-style 5.0-litre V10, its replacement has been confirmed to receive a development of the twin-turbo 4.4-litre direct-injection V8 in BMW’s M-badged SUVs.
With gob-smacking outputs of 408kW/680Nm – well up on the 300kW/600Nm outputs of the same engine in the X5 and X6 xDrive50i - the X5/X6 M engine already easily out-performs the current M5’s 373kW/520Nm.
M division chief Dr Kay Segler has confirmed the M5’s return to the brawny, stump-pulling ways of the naturally aspirated 4.9-litre V8 in the previous E39 M5, reiterating BMW’s stance that it is “not bound by dogma” by claiming the new M5 will come with a split personality to suit all drivers, at all times.
Toughly translated, Dr Segler told Germany’s AutoBild magazine at the Nurburgring 24-hour last month that the E60 would be BMW’s last V10 M5, and that direct-injection twin-turbo technology could reduce the M5’s fuel consumption by 25 per cent.
“I can now confirm the current 10-cylinder engine will be replaced by an eight-cylinder engine…,” he said. “You will find the philosophy of ‘two cars in one’ explicitly in this vehicle (the M5).
“The vehicle will offer (the best of) both worlds: for normal everyday driving and for use as a racecar at the push of a button… and it will demonstrate that in the second half of 2011.” Autobild speculates the next M5, which should also be joined at the other end of the 5 Series scale by a petrol-electric hybrid version – previewed at Geneva in March by the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept - could offer in excess of 600hp or about 450kW.
European aftermarket outfit Alpina has already produced a twin-turbo model based on the new 5 Series, dubbed the B5 Biturbo.
The new M5 will replace a model that attracted no fewer than 20,548 buyers since 2005, making the outgoing M5 the most successful in a 26-year history model line that debuted in 1984.
Of that record total, which betters that of even the lauded E39 M5 that ran for six years, the M5 Touring – launched in 2007 – accounted for just 1025 sales, ruling out a next-generation M5 wagon.
The E60 M5 sedan’s biggest market was North America, where 8800 examples were sold – more than in Germany (1647), Great Britain and Ireland (1776), Japan (1357) and Italy (512) – while the M5 Touring was most popular in Germany (302), the UK (208) and Italy (184).
In the wide-ranging interview with Autobild, Dr Segler said his company’s decision to produce the controversial X6 M was vindicated by the fact it has outsold the X5 M.
“I believe - without wishing to seem arrogant - that the X6 M has no competitors… and so our courage has paid off,” he said.
Dr Segler also told Autobild that an M-badged 1 Series coupe – based on the 135i Coupe – will emerge from BMW’s M skunkworks before the new M5, in the second quarter of 2011.
Replacements for the current (also V10-powered) M6 coupe and convertible are also in the works for 2011, based on the upcoming second-generation 6 Series range, which will be expanded to include a four-door grand tourer – based on the Gran Coupe concept from this year’s Beijing show – to rival upcoming next-gen versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Maserati Quattroporte.
While the facelifted 3 Series Coupe and Convertible will be BMW’s next local launch (in August), they will be followed this year by Rolls-Royce’s all-new ‘compact Ghost limousine, a second-generation 1 Series and X3 ranges from next year, the first in a series of all-electric ‘Megacity’ micro-models from 2013, the third-generation Mini line-up in 2014 and, perhaps, an X4 crossover based on the next-generation 3 Series.
