2013 BMW M5

BMW M5 revealed its new M5 in the flesh to journalists at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca yesterday prior to the Pebble Beach Concours/Monterey Historics weekend. Of course, much of the fifth-generation M5's development occurred on the famous Nordschleife race track.

The 4.4-liter direct-injected reverse-flow twin-turbo V8 develops 560 horsepower from 5,750-7,000 rpm (with a 7,200-rpm redline), along with an even 500 pound-feet of torque from 1,500-5,750 rpm. Maximum boost is 22 psi. And yes, that makes it the most powerful engine ever fitted to a production BMW.

For one thing, it has all new heads, as it's the first M engine to feature BMW's Valvetronic variable valve control system, which the M SUVs don't have.
BMW claims the new M5 with the M DCT will hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
You'd think BMW would've spruced it up a bit to make it a bit more special.

Is the new BMW M5 what we’re accustomed to expect from BMW’s M division? Um, well, as we discovered during a session in southern Spain, the future of M is big, blustery, red-hot, torque-gushing turbos fitted to smaller engines with mass-production roots. (Despite employing aluminum doors and an aluminum hood, the new M5’s mass creeps to 4300 pounds or so.) So it may not eclipse its predecessor’s 158-foot 70-mph-to-0 braking figure.

Smokes If You Got ’Em
Along with three driver-selectable stability-control modes, three settings for throttle response, three firmness levels for the shocks, and three shift-speed options, the have-it-your-way M5 offers you three steering modes, which progressively reduce boost. There’s so much torque steaming aft that even with an electronically locked clutch-plate differential and larger 295/35 Michelin Pilot SuperSport rear tires, the back end easily breaks grip from a standstill under wide-open acceleration.

The stated reason for the 4.4’s lofty redline is track lappers who may want to hold gears longer, but we suspect the real reason is to pay tribute to M’s heritage of lofty top ends: The old E60’s V-10 spun to 8250.

Manual Transmission in Limbo?

The basics remain the same, but BMW’s throttle-less Valvetronic induction control is deployed on the S63 TU, as are larger turbos and intercoolers, different injectors and control electronics, and a higher compression ratio of 10.0:1.

The power delivery is—dare we say it—almost diesel-like. The Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, a reinforced version of the M3’s optional unit, is geared tall, with a double overdrive and a 3.15:1 final drive, both to save fuel and to take advantage of the engine’s power curve, or relative lack of curve, as it were. ” says Albert Biermann, vice president of engineering for BMW’s M division. “Solution: scream louder.

One thing BMW M5 did hear were the complaints about the E60’s small fuel tank.