Tuesday 8th February 2011

BMW M5 Concept Expected In Shanghai

Next M-car set for Chinese unveiling, at least in concept form

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BMW seems set to unveil a 'concept' version of the next M5 at the Shanghai motor show in April.

According to Dutch car website, Autotelegraaf.nl, the M5 'concept' will be shown alongside the production versions of the 6-series coupe and 5-series hybrid (both of which have also been shown previously as 'concepts').

We keep putting the inverted commas around the word 'concept', because the M5 you'll see in China is expected to be near-as-dammit the same as the final production version - which is scheduled for launch at the Frankfurt show this autumn and due to go on sale before the end of the year.

It's expected that the new M5 will use the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 already in service in the X5 M and X6 M, but uprated to around 600bhp and coupled to a version of BMW's DCT dual-clutch transmission rather than the conventional auto used in the 'X' M cars.

[chazwozza]

Anyone know if this is going to be 4wd? Heard rumours but never had it confirmed?

[Adz The Rat]

I think it would upset alot of people if it was 4wd

[chazwozza]

That's what I would have thought, but like I say, heard it mooted around quite a bit. Cheers

[1000TCR]

It would, but how much sense do 600 bhp make in a RWD car?

[Oddball RS]

Gay-o-matic again then? unless you live in the US?

[nickfrog]

The main issue with that kind of power and RWD is the location of the engine. It kind of needs to be in the middle if you want any kind of decent traction, although in a saloon it's not exactly practical...

[MintyChris]

600bhp just sounds rediculous doesnt it. Wonder if it will be lighter than the last outing?

[Tuvra]

Haha 600bhp, thats Just crazy!!

If this M5 prototype is anything like the previous M5 Prototype, it will look exactly like the road going version. Exciting times!

[john_r]

Excellent, my next car seems to be a step closer.

And all this talk about 600bhp being too much for RWD... what a load of bks people spout. The previous M5 had zero traction issues with 500bhp and I'm sure the BMW engineers will ensure this one is just as good, if not better. (a st load more torque would be nice for a start!)

[130R]

600bhp is not too much for rwd, don't be ridiculous.

[kambites]

Especially not in a car that will weight as much as a small bungalow.

[rassi]

5.5 litre TT? Thought it was still the 4.4 litre TT?

[john_r]

kambites said:

Especially not in a car that will weight as much as a small bungalow.

I just hope it's as good as the E60 when hustled - it had the uncanny ability of shrinking around you as a driver, especially when attacking twisty B roads; frequently leaving smaller and technically more agile sports cars trailing.

[john_r]

rassi said:

5.5 litre TT? Thought it was still the 4.4 litre TT?

I thought they were 4.4 V8's too...?

[kambites]

It'll be interesting to see - all the reviews of the normal 5-series models seem to say that they are softer and not quite as good to drive as the previous generation. I wonder whether the M division can do enough to counter that.

[AM-BM]

Can't say im excited about the new M5.
Mercedes have been doing this for years with the E55AMG etc.
Now all we get are these laggy damn Turbo engines. You can't beat an M power normally aspirated's knockout respose.
The M3 CSL was one of the best ever engines, and that noise!
The V10 M5 revved to over 8000rpm? I always think it's cheating using a Turbo!

Edited by AM-BM on Tuesday 8th February 11:15

[Zod]

It's not a 5.5 litre, but a 4.4 litre. If it were a 5.5, it could produce going on for 700 bhp!

[Zod]

MintyChris said:

600bhp just sounds rediculous doesnt it. Wonder if it will be lighter than the last outing?

which was only heavier than the E39 by the weight of a small child.

[Zod]

Oddball RS said:

Gay-o-matic again then? unless you live in the US?

So like the whole Ferrari range, you mean?

[Riggers]

john_r said:

rassi said:

5.5 litre TT? Thought it was still the 4.4 litre TT?

I thought they were 4.4 V8's too...?

Indeed it is. I'm getting my twin-turbo German V8s confused - 5.5 is the new AMG motor...

Corrected now...