2006 BMW M5 article and engine preview.

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Autoweek.com

Rather than resort to forced induction like rivals AMG and Audi Sport do with the E55 and RS6, respectively, BMW engineers rely on a heavy dose of revs to achieve the 25 percent increase in power. If rumors circulating at the M5's unveiling at Geneva in March hold true, the new engine will rev close to 8500 rpm in production trim.

M division development boss Gerhard Richter masterminded the V10, which is also earmarked for the M6 due out next year. "It really is quite special," Richter says. "There are some trick internals that let it rev quite high. You won't be disappointed!"

Proof of this is reflected in the acceleration. With a projected 0-to-60-mph time around 4.7 seconds, the new M5 is a full 0.6 second faster than its predecessor. Even more impressive is its 0-to-120-mph split, which is put at a sports car-like 12.7 seconds. Like all M cars, top speed is limited to 155 mph, although Richter hints it would be capable of something closer to 185 mph.

:shocked::shocked:

 

[z0mb13]

OMG OMGGG

DROOOOOLLL!!!!

 

[LongCoolMother]

W0W!! lookz g00d baby!

all the people who normally make fun of high-revving engines cant do that anymore!!

 

[fs5]

SWEET I get autoweek in the mail
8500 RPM? SPLOOOOOOOOOOGE!

 

[NFS4]

seven-speed manual

:Q:Q

 

[Bolvangar]

WOW
i dont know what to say

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
OMG OMGGG

DROOOOOLLL!!!!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Yowza!

It's funny, the 5-series is growing on me a bit. The rear end looks fine IMO, and the front air dam is complementary. IMO the major thing that spoils the looks are the eyelids atop the headlights, which would be so easy to change. In any case, this looks like one of the world's most desirable cars - we shall see.

 

[fs5]

eyelids?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
eyelids?

Yeah - look at the front end pic and you'll see what I mean. They appear to be silver.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Nice, but not enough to compete with the E55. Looks like MB wins this round

 

[FrustratedUser]

V10 @ 8500 rpm = SPLOOOOGE!!!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NFS4

seven-speed manual

:Q:Q

Rumor says 7-speed SMG and no option of a true manual...

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Rumor says 7-speed SMG and no option of a true manual...

I had heard the same thing, but this article makes reference to a manual option. I would prefer a true manual by far, but I wouldn't say no to the SMG either.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Nice, but not enough to compete with the E55. Looks like MB wins this round

Not for me. M-B is relying on forced induction and their usual slushbox. I have to believe the M5 will best it dynamically in terms of handling and fun to drive. Still, I can't honestly say it will probably matter much to me - I don't think I will be buying any $85K cars in the next few years.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Rumor says 7-speed SMG and no option of a true manual...

I had heard the same thing, but this article makes reference to a manual option. I would prefer a true manual by far, but I wouldn't say no to the SMG either.

I thought SMG was considered a clutchless "manual" transmition.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: NFS4

seven-speed manual

:Q:Q

Rumor says 7-speed SMG and no option of a true manual...

yea. most probably will be a SMG

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

I thought SMG was considered a clutchless "manual" transmition.

I believe the BMW SMG implementation actually has a clutch that is electronically operated, like Ferrari's F1 and variations (and its sister Maserati Cambiocorsa). The article says, though, "A new seven-speed version of BMW's sequential manual gearbox, based on the six-speed the M3 uses, will be offered as an alternative to a more traditional seven-speed manual," which certainly makes it sound like there is a true manual available.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: tweakmm

I thought SMG was considered a clutchless "manual" transmition.

I believe the BMW SMG implementation actually has a clutch that is electronically operated, like Ferrari's F1 and variations (and its sister Maserati Cambiocorsa). The article says, though, "A new seven-speed version of BMW's Sequential Manual Gearbox, based on the six-speed the M3 uses, will be offered as an alternative to a more traditional seven-speed manual," which certainly makes it sound like there is a true manual available.

I realise that there actuatly is a clutch, but as far as the driver is concerned it is clutchless and I'm pretty sure that electronicly controled clutch manuals are refered to as clutchless. I think they are refering to the gearbox being based on the 6-speed SMG that is is the M3. It even says so in the article.

 

[KokomoGST]

I keep kicking myself for not having my camera phone on me when I saw a test mule for the M5 drive by my gym...

Having a manual tranny makes it a winner in my book. Though I'd rather have forced induction and the torque that goes with it rather than a high revving peak output V10.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

I realise that there actuatly is a clutch, but as far as the driver is concerned it is clutchless and I'm pretty sure that electronicly controled clutch manuals are refered to as clutchless. I think they are refering to the gearbox being based on the 6-speed SMG that is is the M3. It even says so in the article.

I get that, but you are ignoring the language "as an alternative to a more traditional seven-speed manual." My only point is that fortunately there appear to be plans for a true manual option.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: tweakmm

I realise that there actuatly is a clutch, but as far as the driver is concerned it is clutchless and I'm pretty sure that electronicly controled clutch manuals are refered to as clutchless. I think they are refering to the gearbox being based on the 6-speed SMG that is is the M3. It even says so in the article.

I get that, but you are ignoring the language "as an alternative to a more traditional seven-speed manual." My only point is that fortunately there appear to be plans for a true manual option.

Hot damn, I completely misconstrued that, I read it to say that it had an SMG as opposed to a true manual. Having a true manual in the car just makes me want it even more.

 

[Linux23]

why 7-speed, why not just go full out 8?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Linux23
why 7-speed, why not just go full out 8?

7 does seem like a hell of a lot of gears to me. Though the engine is not as torquey as some, 369 lb/ft is more than enough that you wouldn't think it would need or benefit from 7 gears. Still, if it shifts as nicely as most BMWs, I guess the more shifting, the merrier.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

* bump for morning folks