Official 2012 BMW M5 Concept photos - watch the reveal [videos]

For 25 years now, the fascinating combination of supreme driving comfort experienced in a premium upper midrange sedan and the handling characteristics of a high-performance sports car has been described by one single unmistakable model designation - BMW M5. In 1984, with the first generation of this model, the BMW M GmbH laid the foundation stone for a completely new vehicle category. The BMW M5 was the first car of its kind to offer racing-oriented high performance in a sedan that could be driven without restrictions in everyday road traffic. This unique concept developed into a remarkable success story spanning four model generations.

The BMW M GmbH is now drawing the attention of racing car enthusiasts to a four-seater yet again. The BMW Concept M5, which is making its public debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, presents itself as the latest reinterpretation of this unmistakable vehicle character.

Superior sportiness and typical M aesthetics in a BMW 5 Series Sedan format provide the basis for the exclusive BMW M5 driving experience. With each model generation, the advancements made in the development of premium sedans in terms of comfort, safety and premium ambience were accompanied by new possibilities to intensify that unsurpassed ‘M feeling'. The world premiere of the BMW Concept M5 at the Auto Shanghai 2011 gives clear signals for the continuation of this tradition. Based on the design vocabulary developed for the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the near-series concept car reflects the characteristic styling features of a BMW M automobile, with which the car's further enhanced dynamic potential is authentically visualised.

A new high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology guarantees typical M power output. The eight-cylinder power unit delivers a spontaneous and even acceleration, which remains constant up to the highest load and is characteristic of the M feeling, in a previously unequalled dimension. At the same time, both performance and efficiency have been significantly increased in comparison to the previous engine. Numerous drivetrain innovations and other enhancements have lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 percent. The new engine and a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic and M-specific suspension and steering create the ideal prerequisites for an unrivalled driving experience.

Typical M aesthetics: performance defines design, aerodynamics optimise performance.

The athletic appearance of the BMW Concept M5 authentically expresses the engine's superior power. The sporty and elegant look of the BMW M5 Sedan has been specifically modified using typical M design vocabulary. All specific design features are directly related to the four-seater's outstanding performance characteristics. They were developed exclusively for the BMW Concept M5 and enhance the vehicle's character, which is marked by high performance and supreme handling even under extreme conditions. Prominent examples of this are the large air intakes, which allow for the engine's higher cooling requirements, as well as optimised aerodynamics thanks to a discreet spoiler located on the boot lid and a diffuser integrated into the rear apron.

The BMW Concept M5 owes its intense emotional impact to the direct relation of each detail with the technical requirements. At the same time, the concise styling of the high-performance car's specific features creates the character of understatement that is typical of a BMW M automobile. The car's superior appearance is underlined by the body colour Chrome Shadow. The discreet appearance of this body colour distinctively enhances the surface contours of the vehicle's three-dimensionally modelled bodywork.

Front apron: precise airflow optimises cooling and aerodynamics.

Dynamic lines and large air intakes on the front end of the BMW Concept M5 are a clear implication of the vehicle's exceptionally sport-oriented characteristics and its engine's outstanding power. Like on the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the contour lines on the bonnet of the BMW Concept M5 flow towards the BMW kidney grille. The upright position of the widely stretched kidney grille also signalises dynamic forward movement. The dual round bi-xenon headlights, which are complemented at the top by an accentuating light, create the road-focused look that is also characteristic of BMW M automobiles.

The front apron, which was designed exclusively for the BMW Concept M5, contributes significantly towards both the car's athletic appearance as well as its dynamic potential. It features three large air intakes, the dimensions of which are precisely oriented towards the high cooling requirement of the engine and its ancillary components. The centre opening corresponds to the width of the BMW kidney grille, the side contour lines move away from each other as they continue downwards. This echoes the V shape between the grille and the headlights, thus emphasising the width of the air intake.

The centre air intake protrudes further out than the two outer intakes and its contours are slightly curved. This three-dimensional design and the deeply embedded, black grille sporting a honeycomb design additionally underscore the vehicle's powerful character. With concisely designed so-called flaps on the lower edges of the outer air intakes, the BMW Concept M5 boasts a racing-inspired feature for optimising airflow. These also emphasise a front apron design that is oriented towards the technical demands.

Side view: dynamically flowing lines, large M light alloy wheels. With powerfully modelled wheel arches and dynamically flowing lines, the BMW Concept M5 also signalises uncompromising sportiness when viewed from the side. The long wheelbase, the set back passenger cabin and the black side window surrounds distinctively underscore the sedan's stretched silhouette. This appearance is even more strongly emphasised through M-specific lowering of the vehicle.

The athletically flared wheel arches are complemented by M-specific light alloy wheels sporting a double-spoke design. Due to the vehicle's wide track, they are flush with the car body. The 20-inch forged rims are fitted with tyre size 265/35 ZR20 at the front and 265/35 ZR20 at the back.

The M-typical gill element on the front side panel has been reinterpreted on the BMW Concept M5. The gill features a high-quality chrome surround and is horizontally divided by a chrome bar, which in addition to the side indicator also bears the M logo. The gill element is the starting point of the swage line, which during its further course across the door handles stretches back as far as the taillights.

The rear end: athletic styling, targeted airflow.

Superior sportiness and supreme road holding are effectively symbolised by the BMW Concept M5's rear end design. The emphasis on vehicle width through dominating horizontal lines also featured on the BMW 5 Series Sedan is combined with an athletically shaped rear apron. The vehicle-specific rear apron, which forms a smooth transition to the wide wheel arches, ensures a particularly intensive accentuation of the motive force that is transferred to the rear wheels.

An integrated diffuser at the lower edge of the rear apron effectuates targeted airflow at the end of the undercarriage. As a typical M identifying feature, the BMW Concept M5 is fitted with a double-flow exhaust system, the double tailpipes of which are located far apart at each side of the diffuser and surrounded by aerodynamically shaped trims. Likewise, the discreet rear spoiler located on the boot lid serves to optimise the car's aerodynamic characteristics. It ensures additional downforce above all at high speeds, thus contributing towards supreme handling at all times.

Awe-inspiring power, impressive efficiency: V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo.

The BMW Concept M5 gives a starting signal for the venture into a new dimension of motor racing-oriented driving dynamics. The high-performance characteristics reflected in its design are realised through the M-specific drivetrain and suspension technology. Under the concept car's bonnet is a new, high-revving V8 power unit featuring M TwinPower Turbo Technology. The new engine ensures a new dimension of the linear power development so characteristic of BMW M automobiles. Moreover, it impressively embodies the principle of technological advancement within the framework of the BMW Group's Efficient Dynamics strategy. Compared to the fourth generation of the BMW M5's power unit, the newly developed engine has a significantly increased output level, whilst at the same time lowering previous fuel consumption and emission levels by at least 25 percent. With the new eight-cylinder engine, big steps have been taken in the optimisation of drivetrain technology. A clear increase in power is accompanied by a likewise very remarkable increase in efficiency. This demonstrates the unparalleled effectiveness of this development strategy, which originates from motor racing, where in addition to the engine's performance capabilities and reliability, as few fuel stops as possible result in a decisive advantage.

The BMW Concept M5's engine power is transferred to the rear wheels by a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. This double- clutch gearbox, which was specifically tuned to the new V8 engine's performance characteristics, fascinates with extremely fast gear shifting, precise gear selection and a high degree of effectiveness that additionally optimises the vehicle's efficiency. The combination of the new engine with M Drivelogic is supplemented by an Auto Start Stop function. When halting at road junctions or in a tailback, the high-performance engine is temporarily switched off, thus avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption during idling. To continue the journey it is sufficient to release the footbrake and the V8 engine restarts without delay.

Model-specific suspension technology, typical M innovation: active M M Differential.

The suspension technology especially developed for each model is an equally crucial constituent part of the well-balanced overall concept of any M automobile. It is constructed using comprehensive know-how obtained from motor racing and then tuned within the framework of extensive tests carried out on the Northern Loop of the Nürburgring. Exclusive M suspension components include, inter alia, the wheel suspension systems, specific axle kinematics as well as exceptionally effective and weight-optimised brakes, which also remain stable even under high levels of strain. In addition, the BMW Concept M5 features innovative rear differential technology also developed by the BMW M GmbH.

The Active M Differential optimises vehicle stability using targeted variation of locking torque between the right and left drive wheels.

Active control of the multi-plate lock inside the rear differential is highly accurate and fast. This ensures that wheel spin is prevented even on slippery road surfaces and in the event of differing friction coefficients between the right and left wheels, in narrow bends or during sudden lane changes. The thereby optimised traction facilitates the highest level of vehicle stability and dynamics during acceleration out of bends even under the most demanding conditions.

BMW Concept M5 - the future of the high-performance sports car with four doors and five seats.

The BMW Concept M5 embodies the vision of a premium upper midrange sedan offering the highest degree of comfort for up to five occupants and allowing the driver to follow the ideal racing line both on the racetrack and in everyday road traffic. The BMW Concept M5 combines outstanding performance resulting from racing-inspired drive and suspension technology with typical M aesthetics that authentically express the vehicle's dynamic potential. The concept car visualises the unmistakable characteristics of a BMW M model, which mature from a harmonious overall concept in which engine, suspension and design complement each other perfectly. The BMW M GmbH's know-how gained from decades of experience and constantly further developed under racing conditions manifests itself in this combination. Innovative technology derived directly from motor racing provides each new BMW model with unmatched high-performing characteristics.

The BMW Concept M5 reflects a highly advanced stage in the development of a high-performance vehicle based on the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The specific design features are directly aligned to the technical requirements, the suspension technology is precisely harmonised with the engine's performance characteristics. With this precisely defined development strategy, the latest embodiment of the incomparable M feeling strives steadily towards series maturity.