Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Introduced back in 2009, the F10 was and still is a great leap forward for the BMW 5 Series. Now that the three-pointed star presented an all-new generation of the E-Class, BMW will follow suit with the G30 5 Series. After it debuts later this year, the seventh-generation BMW 5 Series will spawn a slightly different take on the M5 compared to what the ongoing model has to offer.
Our spy photographers caught a BMW G80 M5 test mule doing its thing in Scandinavia, and yes, it is AWD. Some people from the rumor mill are adamant that the all-wheel-drive system will be an optional extra, but I’m not so sure about that. Is xDrive offered as an option on the BMW X5 M or the M760Li? Does Nissan offer AWD as an option on the GT-R? I made my point.
I’m betting a tenner that engineers resorted to all-wheel-drive because RWD has its limitations on a car that grew in size and output uninterrupted since the 1985 E28 M5. Speaking of get-up-and-go, it’s not known if the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 will reappear under the hood of this thing or an all-new 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine will take its place, but do expect at least 600 horsepower and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft).
Compared to the outgoing M5, the G80 is said to weigh between 1,600 and 1,700 kilograms (3,500 and 3,750 pounds). In other words, CFRP dieting and other interesting weight-saving solutions make the M5 up to 200 kilos (440 pounds) lighter than the current model.
As far as exterior design is concerned, the test mule has been given a largely evolutionary look, so don’t expect BMW to overturn any tables when it comes to styling. On the other hand, the next-generation BMW 5 Series and M5 will excel in terms of technology. One of the goodies comes in the form of the gesture-based technology of the all-new BMW 7 Series. Qi wireless phone charging and laser headlights should also make an appearance.
I’m betting a tenner that engineers resorted to all-wheel-drive because RWD has its limitations on a car that grew in size and output uninterrupted since the 1985 E28 M5. Speaking of get-up-and-go, it’s not known if the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 will reappear under the hood of this thing or an all-new 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine will take its place, but do expect at least 600 horsepower and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft).
Compared to the outgoing M5, the G80 is said to weigh between 1,600 and 1,700 kilograms (3,500 and 3,750 pounds). In other words, CFRP dieting and other interesting weight-saving solutions make the M5 up to 200 kilos (440 pounds) lighter than the current model.
As far as exterior design is concerned, the test mule has been given a largely evolutionary look, so don’t expect BMW to overturn any tables when it comes to styling. On the other hand, the next-generation BMW 5 Series and M5 will excel in terms of technology. One of the goodies comes in the form of the gesture-based technology of the all-new BMW 7 Series. Qi wireless phone charging and laser headlights should also make an appearance.
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