Fresh from its international launch at Ascari Race Resort in the south of Spain just two weeks ago, the 2012 BMW M5 made its African debut last week at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS).

By now we’ve all seen plenty of images of the new German muscle car, but with its recent presence at our local motor show, it’s good to know we’re getting closer to seeing the latest Bavarian powerhouse on our roads soon – January 2012 in fact.

The new M5 has been launched with heightened interest, mainly due to its smaller capacity, M TwinPower Turbo equipped, 4.4-litre engine. With 412 kW and 680 Nm of torque, the high-revving V8 engine is said to provide constant power over a broad range of engine speeds. Compared to the previous V10-powered E60 M5 model, maximum power is up around ten per cent, torque has increased by 30 percent and BMW claim a 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption (9.9 L/100km). The power of the V8 engine is transmitted via a Drivelogic seven-speed M double-clutch transmission to the rear wheels, where the new Active M differential ensures optimal distribution of torque at any given moment.

Inside, the 2012 M5 features a newly designed centre console with surrounding buttons to allow the driver to vary the drivetrain and suspension parameters. In addition to the engine characteristics and the gear shift programme, the parameters of the M Servotronic steering, the characteristics of the Dynamic Damper Control (DDC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including M Dynamic Mode, can also be adjusted. Furthermore, for the first time, two ‘M Drive’ buttons are mounted on the steering wheel, which allow the driver to choose from previous selected M-mode configurations.

We look forward to bringing you a full report on the new M5 when it officially launches here in January next year, but until then, we’ll leave you with a few figures to ponder… 0 – 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, 0 – 200 km/h in 13 seconds, 250 km/h top speed (electronically limited), 305 km/h top speed when equipped with M Driver’s Package.

The leaks are finally over, and the official details and images are here. The 2012 BMW M5 is real, and it’s pretty impressive on paper.

Power comes, as expected, from BMW’s twin-turbo V8 TwinPower engine, rated at 412 kW at 6 000 – 7 000 r/min and 685 N.m of torque from 1 500 r/min. BMW calls the power delivery “lag free”. All that power equates to acceleration of 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h, 13.0 seconds to 200 km/h, an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (or 305 km/h with the M Driver’s Package), and combined EU fuel economy of around 10 L/100km.

The suspension is upgraded for M Division use, with different front and rear geometry, stiffer springs and dampers, as well as dynamic damper control, plus M Dynamic Mode and M-tuned DSC to help the driver make the most of the car. The limited-slip differential is electronically controlled, with the amount of lock variable from 0 percent to 100 percent depending on the situation. Despite rumors of its existence, a manual gearbox is not included in the official documentation, only a 7-speed M DCT dual-clutch transmission with launch control and paddle shifters.

Subtle differences in appearance also mark the M5 out from the standard 5-Series, with a new front bumper hosting large air intakes for the engine and brakes, flared wheel arches, quad exhaust pipes, boot lid spoiler, 19-inch M-light wheels, and a more aerodynamic rear bumper with integrated diffuser.

Inside, the new M5 gets an M-specific instrument cluster, leather center console trim, M sport seats, plus standard Merino leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, an anthracite-colored roof liner, and other convenience upgrades. Most of the standard 5-Series options sheet is available for the M5 as well, including the electric glass roof, active or multifunction seats, and more. All of this adds up to a luxury sedan with around 3 kg/kW – an impressive power-to-weight figure that trumps even very light forced-induction cars like the Lotus Exige. Are we eager to get the new M5 on track? Definitely.

Adapted from MotorAuthority

A few years back if you were told BMW’s hallowed M division would be launching SUVs, installing turbochargers and striving for improved fuel efficiency, you’re immediate assumption would be that the person telling you all this was crazy.

Fast forward to today and we have the X5 M and X6 M duo, soon a naturally aspirated engine only in the M3 (and even that won’t last for much longer) and an M5 with brake energy recovery and engine stop-start technologies. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, but if you thought that was it, things are about to get even stranger. Speaking with Autocar, BMW M development chief Albert Biermann stated: “There will be some all-wheel drive surprises on M cars in the future”.

While we already have all-wheel drive M cars in the form of the X5 M and X6 M, the new M5 is eventually expected to spawn an all-wheel drive version too. The move is in response to strong demand for such vehicles from the northern regions of the U.S. where all-wheel drive AMG and RS models from Mercedes-Benz and Audi are doing rather well. You can expect BMW M’s all-wheel drive technology to be significantly more sophisticated than the standard xDrive setups already available on certain BMW models – and a lot more rear-biased. Either way, if it works for Ferrari then we’re sure BMW will have no problem selling all-wheel drive M5s.

For more details on the upcoming 2012 BMW M5, click here.

via MotorAuthority

The good folks at BMW are not going to be happy about this (or are they), but leaked photos of the 2012 BMW F10M M5 have emerged on an enthusiast forum. The images appear to come from behind the wall of an embargoed event held in Germany over the weekend.

BMW have called the car the BMW Concept M5, but it’s plain to see that what the manufacturer is actually saying is, “This is exactly what the production car looks like, and we’ll reveal the rest of the juicy details at a future date and maybe the production wheels won’t be black.”

Rumors of the output of the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 expected to sit under the hood of the new M5 have reached as high as 431 kW, a 17 kW increase over the M engines found in the X5 M and X6 M. Paired with a DCT dual-clutch transmission (and possibly a six-speed manual, though it’s not likely) the new M5 is set to be a true powerhouse sedan. However, regardless of the final power figures we’d say this is the best-looking BMW M5 since the E39 and whatever BMW’s cooked up in the engine bay should have no problem backing up the looks.

A member of the F10 bimmer forums has put his photoshop talents to good use, creating a series of life-like renderings of the upcoming 2011 BMW M5 Saloon.

Due to arrive in 2011, the Bavarian automaker’s new high-performance super saloon will be powered by a downsized, 4,4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, that was first used on the X5M and X6M.

In those two models, the V8 produces 408 kW at 6 000 rpm and 680 N.m of peak torque. However, it has been suggested that BMW’s M division may further tweak the twin-turbo engine boosting output closer to the 440 kW mark.

Via F10 Forums