Out of all places, the new 2012 BMW M5 was spotted in Beverly Hills. A reader of M5board snapped some photos of an M5 prototype rolling down Wilshire Boulevard. To our knowledge, this is the first M5 test mule spotted on U.S. soil and it seems like BMW is moving to summer testing. As with any new vehicles coming to the market, the Death Valley is the perfect place for hot weather testing, most likely where this prototype came from.
The F10 M5 will be officially unveiled next month ahead of its Shanghai Motor Show debut.
The next generation 2012 BMW M5 drops the fans-favorite V10 naturally aspirated engine in favor for a V8 turbocharged engine. The powerplant in the F10 M5 is based on the same unit found in the BMW X5 M and X6M, the twin scroll twin turbo version of the N63, known as the S63. The 4.4-liter V8 twin-scroll powerplant will peak at 578-horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. The 0-62 mph dash should take about 4.4 seconds, but official track times will not be available until late 2011.
As expected, the M5 features wider fenders, giving the car more muscular and imposing look. At the rear-end, the typical quad exhausts remain with a sculpted diffuser and central intake. A small bootlid spoiler allows the car to remain understated and restrained. The also M5 features a hood with a same sporty look emphasized by concave and convex shapes as seen in some of the newer BMWs.
Recently, BMW has also started a new marketing campaign around the new M5 and through different online teasers, the car will be slowly unveiled. Stay tuned in the next weeks for more exclusive news!
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/03/05/2012- ... rly-hills/