In an interview for Autocar UK, Albert Biermann, BMW M’s head of R&D, said that an all-wheel drive M5 is on BMW’s radar to satisfy demand from the snow belt in the U.S. where all-wheel-drive vehicles from Mercedes and Audi are selling well: “There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future,” says Biermann.
First BMW M xDrive models hit the market nearly two years ago when BMW launched the X5 M and X6 M twins.
Staying on the M5 news, the same magazine reports that the new M5 makes around 552 bhp and 510 lb-ft of torque, a number that has not been official confirmed by BMW.
The V8 turbocharged engine is the same S63 unit used in the X5 M and X6 M, but with revised induction and exhausts for sharper throttle. 0 to 62 mph is said to come in 4.5 seconds, equalling the straight-line performance of its main rival, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.
Autocar speculates on the possibility of the same engine to be used in the newM6 Coupe and Convertible which launches next year as well. The four-door Gran Coupe will also receive the powerful V8 engine.
When it launches in the UK, the new BMW M5 is expected to cost around 75,000 British Pounds.
[Source: Autocar ]
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/04/07/rumor ... to-market/