BMW had introduced the next generation 5-Series sedan earlier this year. Now its M division, is concentrating on developing the flagship version of the series, the M5. The highly anticipated M5 will debut a year after the standard 5-Series will make its first public appearance at the 2010 Geneva Show on March next year. The 2011 BMW M5 was spied undergoing testing at the Nordschleife.
Speculation was abound on whether the M5 would continue to use the exotic V10 powerplant or switch to the new turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 which made its bebut in X5M and X6M. However, now BMW officials have confirmed that the new M5 will be equipped with the turbocharged V8.
The twin-turbocharged unit develops 555HP at 6,000 rpm and 680Nm or 501 pound feet of torque available between 1500 & 5650 rpm, which is more than enough to make the BMW M5 a strong contender in the high-end next generation super sedan category. It is speculated that the direct injection V8 may be improved further, boosting the output almost to the 600HP mark. The new V8 will not only outrun the V10 in power, but will also be lighter in weight, compact in size & more fuel efficiency with lower CO2 emissions.
