From CarMagazine.co.uk

CAR has just bagged spy photos of the new BMW M5 out on test in Germany with its predecessor. The next-generation hot 5-series will not use the current 5.0-litre V10, which can only survive in production until 2011 because of ever-tightening emissions regs. In its place, the new M5 will use a twin-turbo V8 tuned to produce more power than today's hot-shot Five.

The new BMW M5: the lowdown

The new 5-series is due in 2009, pointing to an M-powered version the following year. And the new M5 won't mess with a winning formula; it will still mix executive comfort with supercar-slaying performance.

How so? Well, the new twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is said to send around 540bhp to the rear wheels. It's the same engine seen in the X6, but with attention lavished on it by the experts at M Power's experts in their HQ in Garching near Munich.

Farewell the characterful V10, then...

Expect a slightly different character from the high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10 in today's E60 M5. With twin-turbo punch, the new M5 will have razor-sharp responses irrespective of where the tacho needle is pointing. But will it have character and excitement galore too? Here's hoping...

How do you know this is the new BMW M5?

Our sources confirm this is the M-powered Five. Which makes sense – it's clearly out on test alongside the current E60 M5 at the (cliched, but tried-and-tested) Nurburgring and the prototype sports quad exhausts, which are an M-car giveaway. Plus the size of the rims, those huge brake discs and the low ride height all point to this being the new M5.

While the regular 5-series models will gain plenty of Efficient Dynamics goodies to trim consumption and emissions, it's unclear at this stage if the BMW M5 will gain such green know-how.

And what about the M5's gearbox?

Direct injection is likely, and the seven-speed twin-clutch box is the most likely transmission option. Today's E60 M5 does have a manual option, but only in North America. The way the market's going – with buyers flocking to paddle shifts in most territories – it seems that a semi-auto is more likely. We won't miss the jerky SMG automated manual one bit...




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I hope AMG has a few tricks up their sleeves!!!

Phil

 

Ive been hearing this lately, I cant wait to drive one of those

 

540 hp vs 518 hp for the E63...so not only won't the new E63 compete with it in the twisties it now cannot do it in a straight line

AMG better hurry up and stuff the twin turbo V8 in there

 

Well. Yeah. I will certainly miss the V10, but god damn, everybody with BMWKILLER plates is going to have to apply for different ones.

 

Yeah from what I heard, it will be the same engine as the one that's going into the X5/X6 M. I read some specs, looks like 550+ at the crank, and as much torque, but damn, it only redlines at 6800. Honestly, I don't care how much more power it makes, if it doesn't have that sharp, quick, free-revving nature of the V10, its boring. That's why I love the S85, it's like (literally) a big bore F1 engine for the street. This will just be an N62 with some turbos, no crazy sound or hair-pin trigger responsiveness. This combined with the dropping of manual transmissions, and the move to a V6 down the road really makes me sad, it seems like BMW has finally thrown in the towel and given in. It was fun while it lasted, the S65/S85 is possibly one of the best engines ever made.

 

i drove a m5 last night and all i have to say is wow. i was chirping 3rd in s6.

but my c class did beat it or should i say the m5 owner beat his own car. (i did get perfect shifts everytime from 40 to 140.)

i cant wait till the new one comes out im getting one!

 

Wow! I can only imagine how much that car will be after a tune!.... but how much can the tranny take... I know BMW likes to put transmissions that are not very mod friendly...

 

All kidding aside from me, AMG is really starting to scare me. Literally NOTHING from AMG about this after the initial leak (and the leak was actually from Mercedes and not AMG about going turb)

We all know AMG/Benz likes to keep the hype going to build anticpation.

I just don't know man.

Anyones guess at this point.

 

FI FTW !!!...if the 335i's are getting serious power with just a dp/tune I can imagine that a v8tt will be like 700hp to the wheels EASY with a tune and exhaust. AMG better step up its game asap. The only issue i have is I can only imagine how much heavier the new m5 will be over the previous gen

 

+1, I hope they are able to come up with something soon, so far all we hear is about how they are trying to reduce CO2 emissions. Who gives a *****. If I cared, I'd buy a Prius.

 

I happen to think that BMW's move to twin turbos is actually a good move for us (AMG guys) because sooner or later this will drive AMG to make the switch to twin turbos as well or lose a good chunk of customers. Besides, there's been more than one source that has stated AMG will twin turbo Mercedes's 5.5L engine in the current 550 models.

 

This is the main question, a twin turbo V8 is going to produce much more torque... which is what breaks DCT's.

We already have the specs for the motor pretty with the X5 and X6 M. The nice thing is aftermarket development should be pretty far along by the time it hits. With the location of the turbos, these things are going to be very mod friendly.

 

It isn't their fault, MB, Porsche, everyone has to watch it due to tightening regulations.

 

M.B is going to bring the 5.5tt to the new cls. and right after the e will get replaced as well as everything else after.

also this article states that the m5 is going to have 540 bhp to the rear wheels
540=635hp

hey the under rated the new 750's thats thing make 391 to the wheels. stock. thats 460hp!!

 

MB will def need to drop the 6.3 to stay competitive with M cars in the straight line.

 

That was just a figure of speech...just letting the reader know it has 540hp and it is rear wheel drive...not that it is making 540rwhp.

Tom

 

Vary nice write up....I am curious to see what Tranny they use....I smell DKG....and HOPEFULLLLLLLY A 6-SPEED, what if they made a 7-speed man....HUM

 

I don't know what I should do I spoke to my Bmw dealer and asked them if I can place a deposits to be the 1st to get it. They said they can hold it till it's avalible to place a order now it's up to me if I wanna keep my c class or go back to Bmw had 2 before and loved them. The only reason I got a Benz was bc it's a beast but now it looks like there will be a new king of monster coming

 

its okay AMG brothers. AMG and mercedes in the past decade have been faster then anything BMW makes. the w211 has been king of the road since 2003, thats ages ago! c36 c43, c32, slk32, c55, slk55, clk55, these cars knocked out bmw when they came out.

and best of all. the 190e used to beat the e30 m3 all the time on the track! don't forget that

BMW is okay though. I just rather have power to play with in every day life rather then bmws handling

 

I somehow don't think AMG will dissapoint......

 

the 65 yes, the 55s/63s only when modded....

 

Stock to stock in a drag strip there is no Bmw that can beat the amg.
E55vsm5 e55 wins
C55 vs e46m3. C55 wins
I can keep going.

 

Drag strip is a very, very myopic view of ultimate performance. Real world races happen on highways. I've never been in a stoplight race in my life.

 

thats b/c u live in NJ and have stop light every blue moon.

btw im not trying to bash on bmw if anyone here is a bmw fan its me the only reason i got this is b/c its faster then any bmw. in 1/4 mile.

btw my best friend has a 08 m5 that i drive like its mine since he had it and i love it, on the highway stock to stock the m5 will pull on the c63 but from 0-100 m5 got nothing i tryed this so many time. now c63 with tune its a diff animal i beat him by cars and cars.