2012 BMW M5 to offer all-wheel drive - report

Targeted at buyers in cold climates

In a move that will surely cause some headaches in Ingolstadt, BMW is reportedly preparing to offer all-wheel drive on the 2012 M5.

Speaking with Autocar, Albert Biermann, the Head of Development at BMW M GmbH, hinted that "There will be some all-wheel drive surprises on M cars in the future." This seems to imply the company is considering an AWD option for the M5 as well as the redesigned M3 and M6.

No time frame was given, but the all-wheel drive system seems to be a concession to attract more buyers in cold climates such as the north-eastern United States.

Autocar is also reporting that power output will be 552 bhp (560 PS / 412 kW) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque bringing 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds.

Debut of the production version M5 which will essentially look the same as this concept will take place in Frankfurt this September.

Source: Autocar

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bboothy

GASP forced induction... all wheel drive.. it's just as the prophecy foretold. Call interpol, M-division has been infiltrated by Audi! I'm bracing for the clean diesel X5M to round out the sacrilege.

April 8, 2011 5:05 pm

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2 replies

clash_189

Why not? Then you can buy two, RWD for spring-summer-autumn and AWD or X-drive as BMW called it for winter. Moreover, Russian market definitely needs it on anyday except summer if they want to have fun in town street without causing too much worry with slippery. Better yet, we no longer need X model :)

April 8, 2011 5:21 pm

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bboothy

I secretly agree and i'll take a 135x model while they're at it!

April 8, 2011 6:44 pm

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Dolomight 74-86

Why in the name of god would they do that? They should make it RWD & Manual. That is what a TRUE M5 should be.

April 8, 2011 5:19 pm

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4 replies

Mikeado

"Offer" does not mean "only". AWD will be an option next to RWD. Hopefully a manual 'box will be too, but sadly I doubt it.

April 8, 2011 5:49 pm

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MRAD

Mainly due to the fact that some of us have to drive through several feet of snow and don't want to own an SUV, as well as the fact that an AWD M5 would be the ultimate rally car. In fact, I want one now more than ever before so that I can take it onto my local dirt tracks and rally trails.

April 9, 2011 5:39 am

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Dolomight 74-86

MRAD are you High or something? The M5 would be too heavy to be competitive. Also Why would you destroy a 115 000$ luxury car to go rallying. If I was you buy a Lancer or an Impreza, mod it then go rallying.

April 10, 2011 10:46 pm

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clash_189

Isn't there Gallardo on Australia rally championship? If you leave all comfort and seats on M5, it may only weight at 1300-1500 kg. MRAD might refer it to tarmac or semi gravel rally that usually takes place as supporting event in some rally events.

April 10, 2011 11:52 pm

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Auto43

If only they would bring over the M5 wagon. Oh, and get rid of the 5GT.

April 8, 2011 6:47 pm

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Hellbound

The only danger here is...what if in 5 years time BMWs accountants realize they've been selling far more auto 4 wheel drive M cars than rear wheel drive manuals. When that happens, you can wave goodbye to RWD manual M cars!

April 8, 2011 10:41 pm

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1 reply

DeeKay

Naaah... By now they sell far more 316i than M5's - and that haven't stopped them from making the meanest and best M5 to date...

April 11, 2011 7:59 am

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Audi: "Never Follow". their marketing slogan will be highly used if they do a M5 with twin turbo and awd....

April 8, 2011 11:18 pm

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EMBJATI85

M5d Xdrive

April 9, 2011 1:09 am

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Broseph Stalin

BMW already make a AWD M5, its called the X5M.

April 9, 2011 3:22 am

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1 reply

trevtremaine

Yes, they make an X5M, but they should call this one the M5-dynamicadaptiveSXdrive (given BMW's foray into gawd-awful nomenclature). Anyone else notice that there's no longer a handbrake either? I know that everything is getting nannified, but this latest iteration is truly taking the drivers element out of the car - fatter, less enthusiastic, more pedestrian. The final nail will probably come in the next generation when no manual will be offered, if they even offer a "sports" model.

April 9, 2011 8:22 am

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Microice

What a joke! This would have been a killer article 7 days ago. But seriously, are we about to see a shift in the performance sector. Ferrari 4WD hatch back, BMW 4WD AND TWIN TURBO M5? Seems the Lambo and Audi guys have been onto something for a while...

April 9, 2011 10:26 am

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kimbo

They're doing this because more power is getting much harder to put it well on the road. A saloon car designed to be a comfy saloon in a first place simply can't put that power down on the road. 400bhp? no problem, but 600bhp going thru one axle is too much.

April 9, 2011 10:47 am

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boxster127

And BMW finally admits that Audi has been right all along. In quattro we trust! Vorsrprung durch Tecknik!!

April 9, 2011 11:03 am

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3 replies

catchmyshadow

agreed, very strange decision, seems like BMW is losing its principles in 2011. First FWD, now AWD in an M5.

April 9, 2011 5:38 pm

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Microice

Yes they are. And next M3 also rumoured to be turbo V6... And 4 pot turbos on 3series... Wonder if AMG will make a 4L V8? Nah, it would have to be a 4L V2 ;-)

April 9, 2011 9:26 pm

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clash_189

I know BMW guys are going crazy in their Munich HQ, but no offensive, it is still going to be straight 6 cylinders with couple of turbos. Even tehre is a speculation that the next generation M5 (due 2018) will be a 3l-4l V8 (similiar with first M5 but turbocharged) while M3 is 2l-3l straight 6. It seems all manufacturers are going back to 70-80s when majority of car only between 1.2l-1.6l. Also on those days, Ferrari is still mostly in 3l range.

April 10, 2011 11:48 pm

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swifthead

over the years when cars got heavier and more and more power was provided...they fisrt got loose the NA and realized that forced induction is the recipe, now after Quattro, Nissan GT-R, Lambo & Ferrari & Porsche they realized thath +500hpon wheels are driveable only via AWD, at least for a average buyer of that kind of car...in average everyday use in all conditions! so M5 with turbos and automatic gearbox and 4-wheel-drive is nothing unexpected!

April 10, 2011 11:54 pm

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