Development of the next-generation BMW M5 has moved to Scandinavia ahead of its expected debut at the Frankfurt motor show later this year.
Replacing the outgoing car’s naturally aspirated V10, a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 is expected to produce around 570bhp in the new 'F10M' M5, comfortably eclipsing the current car’s 500bhp and offering considerably more torque because of its pair of turbochargers.
The hottest 5-series currently available is Alpina’s B5 Biturbo — but while the specialist manufacturer’s offering also uses a twin-turbo V8, its inlet and exhaust systems differ from the likely set-up in the M5.
The M5 is expected to get a dual-clutch transmission instead of the B5’s eight-speed auto. It will also feature stop-start in a bid to improve fuel economy and better emissions.
The next M5 is tentatively tipped to appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show — although its debut, like the outgoing car’s, may yet be made in the form of a design study instead of the full production model. Sales of the M5 are expected to commence by end-2011 or early 2012.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Dhruv Dhaka
