2011 BMW M5: Twin Turbocharged Uber Sports Sedan Spied

Just as we revealed the first official photos of the all-new BMW X1, our email box was flooded with a plethora of spy shots of the next-generation BMW M5 sports sedan that is due for release in early 2011. But wait, how can we be certain that the prototype seen here is actually an M5 and not any other mainstream version of the 5-Series sedan, codenamed F10, that's expected to arrive in 2010?

Well, first of all, the test mule is equipped with the M-division's trademark four tail pipes. Then there's the wider fenders, the massive disc brakes, the 'extra-large' alloy wheels shod in beefy tires and finally, the lowered ride height. Need any more proof?

The current M5 that is powered by a 507HP 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine is one of the most high acclaimed sports sedans in the market providing supercar-like performance and handling along with daily driver comfort and livability, and BMW intends to keep it that way with the M5's replacement.

According to Carscoop sources, BMW's engineers will ditch the current model's 5.0-liter V10 and replace it with a tweaked version of the more powerful, yet lighter, twin-turbo V8 that was introduced on the X5M and X6M crossovers.

In those two models, the compact 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque available from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. In the M5, the turbocharged V8 could flirt closer to the 600 horsepower barrier. In comparison, today's V10 churns out 507HP and 520Nm or 383-lbs/ft of torque.

We must note though that some recent reports sourced from the UK suggest that BMW may go for for a twin-turbocharged V10 engine generating around 600 ponies.

Either way, power will be sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, and if we're lucky, BMW may offer a manual gearbox option as it does with the current M5 here in the U.S.

And for those that want a bit more practicality, BMW will also develop a Touring variant of the M5 that should arrive after the sedan model sometime in late 2011.

Wiesmann GT MF5 Official Safety Car for 2009 FIA GT Championship

The BMW V10-powered Wiesmann GT MF5 sports coupe will be setting the pace for the racecars participating at the 2009 FIA GT Championship season that kicks off this weekend on May 3 in Silverstone Circuit in Britain. The limited production German sports coupe boasts a 507HP 5.0-liter V10 engine from the BMW M5/M6, coupled to a seven-speed sequential automatic transmission and a variable differential lock. The rear-wheel drive GT MF5 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 310km/h or 193mph.

VIDEO: 2011 BMW M5 Gone in 12 Seconds

This 12-second long video hypothetically shows a prototype version of the next-generation BMW M5 sedan that's expected about a year after the introduction of the new 5-Series Sedan and Touring models in 2010. There's no way of being 100 percent sure if it's an M5 or not, but it certainly sounds the part. The new M5 will be powered by the same 555HP 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the X5M and X6M sporty crossovers.

Via: Luxevelocity

Carbon or Kevlar Boot Lid for BMW 5-Series and M5 Sedans from Lumma Design

The maker of the outrageous CLR500 RS BMW M5 is now offering owners of the current generation BMW 5-Series and M5 models the chance to outfit their sedans with two 'uber' lightweight boot lids with an integrated spoiler made from either carbon or kevlar. Priced at €4,700, the full carbon bootlid weighs in at 8kg or 17.3 lbs and its exterior is made out of carbon while the interior surface from a mix of carbon and kevlar. According to Lumma Design, carbon is four times more solid than aluminum and 80% lighter than steel.

Buyers with a more limited budget can opt for the kevlar bootlid that weighs 14kg or 30.9 lbs and costs €2,618. In both cases the bootlids are designed to be mounted on the original attachment points.

2010 BMW 5-Series Sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo Spied together in France

One of Carscoop's readers stumbled upon a whole convoy of 2010 BMW 5-Series prototypes this morning as he was heading for his morning chores in the centre of St Remy de Provence in the south of France. Martin O'Connor was quick to snap these photos depicting the whole 2010 BMW 5-Series 'familia' that consisted of the four-door sedan, the station-wagon Touring and of course, the 5-door liftback-thingamajig that the Bavarian's call Gran Turismo.

It is expected that BMW will perform the world debut of the production 5-Series Gran Turismo (see the concept here) at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the sedan and touring variants following suite in a major car show in 2010. Sales of all three body-styles will begin next year.

Powertrain options for the new 5-Series range will consist of naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines including the revamped 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six with 326HP and the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 408HP, plus the usual turbo diesels.

At the top of the range buyers will find the M5 sedan and Touring models powered by a new twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering well over 500HP that will make its first appearance on the X5 M and X6 M replacing the current M5/M6's 507HP V10.

Photo Credits and our Thanks go to Martin O'Connor

BMW M Model Gathering in Munich

More than 180 participants with around 120 BMW M model vehicles of all sorts ranging from the original M1 supercar to the latest M3 took part in an official gathering at the Bavarian automaker’s headquarters in Munich, Germany this past weekend. All participants were members of the BMW M-Power club which is limited to owners of the specific model series. The lucky chaps spent the day visiting BMW’s M head office, the BMW World center and the Bavarian firm’s museum. Moreover, along with showing off their latest offerings that included the 2009 M6 with the Competition package, the German automaker treated the M-Power community members with an exclusive close up of the M1 Homage Concept. Hit the jump to view the image gallery. -Continued