Photo: CarPix
Yesterday we saw the upcoming 2017 BMW G30 5 Series out testing on the Nurburgring for the first time. We were impressed not only by the fact that the car seemed to wear production headlights but also because it seemed to be a plug-in hybrid model.
Sure, we knew for quite some time that the new 5er will adhere to the EfficientDynamics motto and will have such an eco-friendly version but, to be honest, we didn’t expect to see it out testing so soon. Well, it looks like BMW wants to bring out an exclusive model, one that would still reign king over its segment.
However, there’s also a BMW G80 M5 coming up in the future, and that’s the car everyone’s waiting for. That’s because, to be completely frank, the F10 was a bit of a disappointment. Not to me but most of the enthusiasts out there.
As faith had it, the car ended up being too heavy and, no matter how much horsepower and torque it ended up having, there’s just no compensation for that. Sure, on a random 5 Series, it doesn’t matter all that much (even though some would completely disagree with my statement) but on the M5? That’s an iconic car that wrote the book on how a mid-size sedan should perform on a track.
Making it heavy and hard to take around a track is not what people expect, especially after coming to fill the shoe marks left by the E60 M5 that was animated by a beastly 5-liter V10. As it turns out, it seems like the Germans have a surprise planned for their fans next year.
They will basically launch a number of models that will have incredible performance instead of one purebred. Apart from the M2 that will be unveiled later this year and go on sale in 2016, they will also take the veils off the upcoming M5 next year.
Most likely, we’ll be seeing it in Paris in September, and it will bring a plethora of innovations to the table. Probably the most important one will be the drop in weight. According to various reliable sources, it will be around 180 - 200 kg (up to 441 lbs) compared to the current model. That would put the future M5 at around 1,600 - 1,700 kg (3,500 - 3,750 lbs), and it would be impressive.
The drop will be even higher than on the future 7 Series that is said to have lost around 130 kg (286 lbs) off its waist. Thinking about it does make sense as this would be an all-out performance model and will use CFRP almost everywhere, from the roof to the pillars and even drivetrain. By comparison, the regular 5 Series will only lose around 100 kg (221 lbs) due to aluminum, magnesium, pressed steel and carbon fiber.
Others claim that BMW could develop a new mill, with a 4-liter capacity, good for the same numbers but possibly more efficient. We’d place our money on the first scenario, to be honest.
On top of all this, xDrive seems like a sure thing at the moment, but only as an optional extra, which is a great thing. So, bring it on 2016, you definitely look like an exciting year!
However, there’s also a BMW G80 M5 coming up in the future, and that’s the car everyone’s waiting for. That’s because, to be completely frank, the F10 was a bit of a disappointment. Not to me but most of the enthusiasts out there.
As faith had it, the car ended up being too heavy and, no matter how much horsepower and torque it ended up having, there’s just no compensation for that. Sure, on a random 5 Series, it doesn’t matter all that much (even though some would completely disagree with my statement) but on the M5? That’s an iconic car that wrote the book on how a mid-size sedan should perform on a track.
Making it heavy and hard to take around a track is not what people expect, especially after coming to fill the shoe marks left by the E60 M5 that was animated by a beastly 5-liter V10. As it turns out, it seems like the Germans have a surprise planned for their fans next year.
2017 BMW M5 to mark 100th anniversary of the brand
As you very well know, BMW will turn 100 in 2016. A lot of people have hurried to speculate that this occasion will basically force the Bavarians to come out with a supercar but as far as we can tell judging by what our sources are saying, the company will have a different approach.They will basically launch a number of models that will have incredible performance instead of one purebred. Apart from the M2 that will be unveiled later this year and go on sale in 2016, they will also take the veils off the upcoming M5 next year.
Most likely, we’ll be seeing it in Paris in September, and it will bring a plethora of innovations to the table. Probably the most important one will be the drop in weight. According to various reliable sources, it will be around 180 - 200 kg (up to 441 lbs) compared to the current model. That would put the future M5 at around 1,600 - 1,700 kg (3,500 - 3,750 lbs), and it would be impressive.
The drop will be even higher than on the future 7 Series that is said to have lost around 130 kg (286 lbs) off its waist. Thinking about it does make sense as this would be an all-out performance model and will use CFRP almost everywhere, from the roof to the pillars and even drivetrain. By comparison, the regular 5 Series will only lose around 100 kg (221 lbs) due to aluminum, magnesium, pressed steel and carbon fiber.
What about the engine?
That’s still a conundrum as there are a couple possible variants at play right now. Some say that the new M5 will a similar twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 as the new X5 M but upgraded to 600 HP and around 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.Others claim that BMW could develop a new mill, with a 4-liter capacity, good for the same numbers but possibly more efficient. We’d place our money on the first scenario, to be honest.
On top of all this, xDrive seems like a sure thing at the moment, but only as an optional extra, which is a great thing. So, bring it on 2016, you definitely look like an exciting year!
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