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AWD for BMW’s M Range

BMW is well known for their rear wheel drive cars as well as for their M division. The next generation M5 sedan might be equipped with AWD (All Wheel Drive) which will represent a first for the model.

At this moment, there are two M badged models that use all-wheel drive systems, the X5 M and the X6 M, but otherwise the M division is rear-wheel drive friendly. The German automaker is looking to expand its M cars on the U.S. market and, as a consequence, the new M5 will most definitely have an AWD system available as an option.

Albert Biermann, BMW M’s head of R&D, stated: “There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future.” There weren’t any release dates confirmed for the launch of an M5 AWD sedan, but we know that the production rear-wheel drive M5 version will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

The AWD system will undoubtedly add more kilos to the total weight of the car, but 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration should remain under the 5 seconds barrier.

The M5 sedan has an twin-turbo V8 engine that is believed to produce 580 hp and more than 500 pounds-feet (678 Nm) of torque. In order to achieve the maximum performance out of the model, the Germans used lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber to minimize as much as possible the total mass of the car. Changes to the transmission have also been made and rumor has it will be a seven or eight speed gearbox fitted with a dual clutch instead of the SGM system.

The car will feature a set of small turbines that will be incorporated in the lattice in order to change the drag into energy. Thanks to these changes, the fuel consumption will be improved without giving up performance or driving pleasure. The 2012 BMW M5 mileage will be around 14.5 mpg (16.2
L/100 km) in the city and 22 mpg (10.6 L/100 km) on the highway.
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