2011 BMW M5 Photos, engines & full specs

BMW introduced the sixth generation of the 5 Series in 2010, and in the following year, it came with the M5 version, which opened a new chapter in the moniker's history.

While all the previous M5s, or the M535i, were powered by naturally aspirated engines that sent their power to the rear wheels, the 2011 M5 was not. Moreover, the 2011 M5 was not subtle nor quiet from the outside, but it wasn't too flamboyant as its predecessor, the V10-powered E60 M5. To make it, BMW tossed away the guidebooks of this nameplate's previous generations and started from scratch. In addition, the car was beautifully designed by Jacek Fröhlich in 2006, under the supervision of the same Chris Bangle, who made the brand's fans angry. But nevertheless, the American designer's ideas were correct, and only time proved that.

At the front, the 2011 M5 shared many parts with the regular 5 Series but featured a few specific parts. For instance, unlike the rest of the range, the car came fitted as standard with bi-xenon headlights. In addition, the bumper was completely redesigned. It featured a broad center air intake flanked by a pair of scoops that cooled the front brakes.

From its profile, the car boasted additional visual and functional upgrades. On the front aluminum fenders, there were a set of vents similar to those installed on the previous M5. As expected, the car rode on model-specific light alloy wheels. Furthermore, the automaker placed specific door mirrors for this high-powered version of the 5 Series. In the lower area, the sculptured side sills helped the car achieve lower drag resistance and diverted air around the rear wheel arches. Out back, BMW installed a tiny lip spoiler on the trunk lid, while below the bumper, it placed a diffuser flanked by a pair of twin exhausts.

Inside, the dashboard lost the double-bubble aspect from the previous generation, but it neatly integrated a color display for the iDrive infotainment system. The center stack housed the stereo and the HVAC system. At the same time, between the front seats' occupants, BMW installed the controls for the infotainment unit and the gear selector, which was shorter and featured a round ending. The automaker offered the M5 with either a set of high-bolstered seats or a set of fully adjustable electric ones, including thigh support. In the back, the split-folding bench seat could accommodate three passengers, albeit the one seated in the middle had limited legroom.

Just like its predecessors, the M5 didn't impress with its look but with its engineering. The 2011 M5 was the first to receive a turbocharged engine. Its 4.4-liter twin-turbo powerplant delivered ten percent more power than the V10 installed on the E60 M5, and it was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox instead of the single-clutch system that was previously used. Furthermore, this generation of the M5 was the first of its kind to send power in all corners via an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system. Thanks to these upgrades, the four-door sedan could rocket from naught to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in 4.4 seconds on its way to a capped top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).