2011 BMW M5 spy photos show new details

2011 BMW M5 spy photos / Autoscoop.biz / Gawid

Inching closer to production

By Michael Gauthier
July 2, 2009 3:04 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Spy Photos

Our spy photographers have once again managed to catch BMW's upcoming 2011 M5 sedan undergoing testing in Europe.

Although this particular mule is still heavily camouflaged, we can see several pieces of traditional M-trim including widened fenders, massive cross-drilled brake discs, and quad tailpipes.

The current M5's 500 bhp 5.0-liter V10 engine will be replaced by the new 555 hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 from the recently introduced X5 M and X6 M. There is speculation that the V8 could be retuned to produce upwards of 600 hp in the M5, but that remains to be seen.

As we have previously reported, the 2011 M5 could adopt a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) similar to what is used in Formula One racing. Designed to capture energy that would normally be wasted, the supposed system would deliver additional boost for added performance.

Another green technology that could appear on the M5 is a variable displacement system which would deactivate several of the engine's cylinders for improved fuel efficiency.

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Tags: 2011 BMW M5, BMW M5, M5

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Comments

sub39h

July 2, 2009 3:37 PM

looks like a lot of the controversial styling has been gotten rid of... i can't tell you HOW glad i am that Bangle has gone :D

Piotre_k

July 2, 2009 3:44 PM

This car was designed by Chris Bangle few years ago. And how can you tell it won't have controversial styling? Have you got an x-ray in your eyes or something?

MR BOOMTOWN

July 2, 2009 6:20 PM

Piotre's kinda got you on that one

Edited by user on July 2, 2009 at 6:21 PM

sub39h

July 2, 2009 7:12 PM

certain elements, like the Bangle Butt are clearly not on this car. camouflage or not, you can clearly see that. to be fair, no amount of covering would hide Bangle's hideous designs anyway!

also, it's unlikely that Bangle had much influence in designing this car as it's been a good few months since he's left, and his successor has been in charge of recent projects including the new Z4 and 7 Series models.

DieselDog

July 2, 2009 3:58 PM

It seems as though the new 5's development cycle is taking TWICE as long as BMW's other models. I sure hope the new 5 is worth the wait. BMW has brought other models to market far more quickly with mixed results. As a sports sedan enthusiast, the 5er GT and X1 simply do not excite me. BMW (in the past) has exemplified manually-shifted, capable, sporting (yet elegant and handsome) coupes and sedans. I understand that selling more models is good for overall market share and business continuity, but it seems BMWs focus has moved away from their once core product and philosophy. Perhaps the all the work on the new 5 will prove me wrong and will show BMW's commitment to producing the best sporting sedans in the world.

motorjedi

July 2, 2009 4:20 PM

Amen.

DSC_OFF

July 2, 2009 4:47 PM

What? Twice as long? 90% of all BMWs have a 7 year run before an all new model is released. That would put the 5er on schedule for a new model in the 2011 calender year. I expect it to be right on schedule.

adz612

July 2, 2009 5:28 PM

if anything the new 5 series couldn't come quickly enough. The E60 was a good car no doubt, but still couldn't touch the E39. Let's hope this new 5er takes it back to the fine balance and classic good looks of the E39

Narco

July 2, 2009 3:58 PM

Piotre hit the nail on the head.

Fishes,

Narco.

HEMI426

July 2, 2009 6:34 PM

The exhausts are too small

chris25

July 2, 2009 6:44 PM

Sorry to ask, but what car is ahead of this bmw on the pic 11?

politz

July 2, 2009 6:53 PM

that would be the new ford fiesta... gorgeous, isn't it?

politz

July 2, 2009 6:51 PM

bmw has tried everything to make their cars look different in the latest years, and somehow have managed to make them all look plain ugly... and weird. now we say that the design guys in bavaria should go back to drawing subtle, solid designs like the ones from the past... and that 'subtle and solid' should not mean boring. not that i'm on the bimmer side now, but... do you guys see how hard (and nearly impossible) that reinvention is going to be?

vilivo

July 2, 2009 7:04 PM

Oh NO!Look at the actual window size (actual glass house far smaller than the camouflage's), will be claustrophobic, and the way it lean in the corners and the passengers' head tilt on those roads (where he can't be going over 80 km/h). I have a E60, and miss my E39, it seems BMW is moving ever closer to turning my fave car into a Lexus GS type car- with NO excitement, and to think- it wasn't millennia ago they had the ONLY mid-sized sedan that was actually FUN!...

Ooh, AND I think it looks like a R8 :)

Edited by user on July 2, 2009 at 7:06 PM

mojo

July 3, 2009 6:36 AM

this mule is an oasis of attractiveness compared to anything that bangle's corrupted mind ever spawned. by god i hope this is the beginning of the return of beemers that people actually want.

Targa_Florio

July 3, 2009 6:46 PM

I totally agree that the E39 is one of the best mid-size business sedans ever: classy yet inconspicuous, simple but efficient...