BMW Previews New M5 Before Shanghai Show

We've been waiting, twiddling our thumbs and tapping our toes. A new 5-series BMW came out recently (the F10 chassis, which replaces the E60) and everyone familiar with BMW knew the new M5 would follow shortly thereafter.  As is the tradition with M cars, the upcoming M5 is being displayed as a "concept" at the Shanghai Auto Show, a few months before a car looking suspiciously/exactly like the "concept" will roll into dealerships.  Here's what we know.

Like previous M5's, the styling is not what you'd call over-the-top.  Unlike some of it's M siblings (most notably the 1M Coupe and the X6M), the M5 has some aggression mixed in with it's classiness, rather than the other way around.  The front fascia isn't quite as gaping and hungry-looking as the M SUV's, but there's still the usual quad-tailpipe-and-diffuser setup out back that's an M car hallmark.  The black split-five spoke 20" wheels look great on this color, but I don't imagine they'll be standard equipment on the production car.

So, styling isn't much of a surprise.  It's an F10 5-series with more aggressive wheels, bumpers, and lower ride height.  What's interesting is what's under the hood - which is both more, and less.

We don't have exact numbers yet, but we do know what will power the F10 M5 - BMW's 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8, also used in the X5M and X6M.  In those applications, it's tuned to deliver 555bhp and 501lb-ft of torque from it's twin VGT turbochargers, but BMW says power output in the new M5 will be higher than that - exactly how much more, we don't know.  I'm going to cross my fingers and hope for 600bhp.

Why the drop in cylinder count and displacement?  Well, readers with photographic memory will recall the previous M5's 5.0L V10 - the S85B50 - made 507bhp and 384 lb-ft of torque.  And while it was a fantastic engine (8,250 rpm V10 in a luxury sedan?  Yes please!) it had some weak spots.  Namely torque output and consumption levels, which were relatively low and extremely high, respectively.  The old S85 V10 only made peak torque of 384lb-ft (less than BMW's 3.0L twin-turbo diesel I6!) at a high 6,100 rpm, while sucking down premium fuel like it was going out of style.  The new V8, with it's twin turbochargers and direct injection, will put out considerably more power and torque much lower down in the rev range, as well as offering 25% better fuel economy and emissions levels, according to BMW.  About the only thing that will be missed, likely will be the S85's insane high-rpm banshee wail, which was utterly inimitable.

The standard transmission will be a 7-speed M DCT (dual clutch transmission), driving the rear wheels through an active differential.  It has been rumored there will be a standard 6-speed manual transmission version exclusively for the US market, like the E60 M5, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.  There will be M-specific adaptive suspension, larger brakes, and all four corners are shod with 265/35/ZR20 performance rubber.

So we know what the new M5 will look like, and basically what will be underneath it.  But we're going to have to wait until closer to September to get more details, when the F10 M5 makes it's official production debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show.  Stay tuned as more details on the new, twin-turbocharged M5 emerge.