The new 2012 BMW M5 F10 has been spotted by one of our readers on U.S. soil. A Silvertone-painted test mule featuring very little camouflage was seen near Orange Country during one of the daily test runs.
The M5 Concept made its world debut last month at the Shanghai Auto Show and will be followed by an official release in late June. The public debut will take place at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
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 unit 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.
Similar to the Air Curtain introduced in the 1 Series M Coupe, the F10 M5 features a specially designed front apron and trunk link. Design wise, the F10 M5 gets front-end M treatment with the usual aggressive bumper and large air intakes. The production M5 features a hood with a same sporty look emphasized by concave and convex design lines. At the rear-end, the typical quad exhausts remain with a sculpted diffuser and central intake.
The new M5 is also said to have a new Limited Slip Differential (LSD) that further improves traction. In the engine department, the same power unit rumored for months, based on the X5M and X6M engine which produces more than 555 horsepower but up to 565. The maximum torque should come to about 700 Newton meters. The engine is matted to a 7-speed DCT transmission.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect it to be around the $100,000 mark. The F10 M5 goes on sale in Spring 2012.
[Video Credit: J.D. ]
Author: Horatiu Boeriu
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/05/13/spy-v ... ge-county/