We’ve all seen plenty of photos of the new 2012 M5’s imposing biturbo V8 S63Tu engine, which produces a whopping 560hp. But what exactly are we seeing when we peek under the hood of the F10 M5? Here is an explanation of some of the components seen on the S63Tu engine, as well as how they work together.
Buried in the monstrous new press release on the new F10 M5, we noticed an interesting new feature called “Active Sound Design.”
Behind this marketing term is a fairly simple idea. The new M5 reproduces the car’s engine sound via the in-car audio system. In other word, if you’re sitting inside the car you not only hear the engine but also an audio track of the engine based on throttle input, speed, and engine rev. As BMW puts it, this makes for better feedback as you hear exactly what the engine is doing. Another obvious benefit is that it allows to change the noise levels based on your driving behaviour as the reproduction by the audio system gets louder and more intense in Sport and Sport+ settings.… CONTINUED
Watch the first 2012 M5 (F10) publicly recorded high speed run, where the F10 M5 easily hits 300kmph (187mph) on the Autobahn. It’s a delight to see the speedometer climb so quickly, but also mad fun to hear the engine and exhaust noises as it rockets into the triple digit speeds. Video inside!
Here’s the very first look at a production Imperial Blue Metallic F10 M5 (although it could also possibly be Azurite Black Individual which is also a dark blue/black color). Imperial Blue Metallic has a beautiful metallic blue hue to it when illuminated and is the darker of the F10 M5 colors. This particular 2012 M5 joined ///M Flight, an M owner’s club in Germany, this past weekend. Club members were given rides in the new monster 560hp M5 and got up to 187mph on the Autobahn! Photo set inside.
Earlier this month, M-Power.com invited six lucky customers from all-over the world to the Ring and let them experience and drive the new BMW M5 (see the video and our thread HERE). One of them was Benjamin Goh from Singapore. Judging from his enthusiastic comments in said video, there was little doubt that Benjamin was a true car enthusiast. M-Power.com visited him in Singapore and chronicled the event, which leaves no doubt he’s a car fanatic.
Just to name a few cars Benjamin owns, the following report includes photos of an M3 GTS, a 1M, a Lamborghini Gallardo and a just-delivered Ferrari 458. Oh yea, and he’s got no less than two BMW M5s on order.
Enjoy the report and head over to M-Power.com for more photos. If … CONTINUED
This is perhaps the best sounding clip we’ve heard yet of the 2012 F10 M5. Many people have lamented the loss of the iconic naturally aspirated V10 of the previous generation M5 and one of the reasons is the expectation that the bi-turbo V8 won’t sound nearly as good. This exhaust clip may go far in convincing some people otherwise however. F10 M5 exhaust video clip inside.
Here’s the best live action footage of the F10 M5, from full throttle runs on the Ascar Race Resort Track, to spirited driving in the Spanish mountains, and cruising in the city streets.
The 2012 M5 (F10) will come in a fairly extensive choice of colors, including some beautiful individual exterior color options. One of the individual exterior color options is Brilliant White Metallic, which we’ve spotted hanging out at BMW M HQ in Garching, Germany.
Besides the individual brilliant white metallic exterior paint, the this M5 also has other individual options, such as the black painted mirrors and wheels. The red leather interior looks great set off against the white and black exterior color scheme.
As for not having blue brakes, it’s probably because it’s not a production M5, but a factory test car.
We’ve put together a color preview guide for the F10 M5, which can be seen at http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546540
Now that the F10 M5 has been revealed, the natural question for potential owners is what the 2012 M5 sales and production schedule will be? We break it down inside:
M5 Debut Schedule:
World public debut - M Festival (June 22, 2011)
UK public debut - Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 1-3, 2011)
Autoshow debut - Frankfurt IAA autoshow (September 15-25, 2011)
US public debut - LA Autoshow (November 18-27, 2011)
Asia public debut - Tokyo Autoshow (December 3-11, 2011)
M5 Sales Begin:
European sales - November 2011
Asian sales - January 2012
US sales - Spring 2012
M5 Production Schedule (for US):
Begins March 2012 (see full F10 schedule inside)
