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Next BMW M5 to lose V10 for twin-turbo V8

Posted by Hootan Mahallati | September 28, 2009 | In bmw news

If you have been following news regarding high-end sports cars of late, you will not be surprised by this post. Many car makers are downsizing their high-end performance engines in order to meet ever more stringent emissions rules, and BMW's M division is no exception. We have already heard that the next M3 will lose its V8 in favor of a twin-turbo inline 6, and now comes news that the same diet will affect the next generation M5 due in 2011. Gone will be that screaming V10, making room for a twin-turbo, direct injection V8.

Of course, BMW will not be content with just chopping cylinders. In fact, the move might spell good news for the new M5. Not only is its engine likely to weigh less than the current V10, but it will also be more powerful. At roughly 550 hp, the car will have 10% more power than its predecessor and despite being larger, weigh roughly the same as its predecessor.

The still-prodigious power will be controlled by a new, eight-speed dual clutch transmission, spelling the end for BMW's somewhat unloved sequential transmission. And just to top everything off, the new M5 is reported to feature active aerodynamics, such as movable underbody flaps, that will increase fuel efficiency by 2.5% by streamlining the car's shape.

[Source: Car]

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