Speculation around possible transmission options for the upcoming F10 M5 continues. Last week relieving news trickled in as EVO’s Chris Harris and other outlets confirmed that BMW will not resort to their widely used 8-speed ZF automatic transmission but instead use a beefed up 7-speed M-DCT for the M5. This leaves one remaining ‘mystery’ regarding M5 transmission options — whether there will be a manual transmission available. German Focus appears to know more on the matter as they mention in a today’s article about fast … CONTINUED

While we’re all waiting for its official debut, BMW continues testing FEP prototypes of the F10 M5. Spotted in SoCal, here are more pictures of a beautiful M5 in Silverstone II, a nice silver color with a light blue hue already known from the E60 M5. The previous Silverstone II sighting was at the Schipol Airport in the Netherlands.

The M5 will feature a twin-turbo twin-scroll V8 with an output of at least 555hp (internal code S63) and — according to latest reports — mated to a … CONTINUED

More test drive reviews of F10 M5 prototype are trickling. Following Chris Harris’ review last week, two German publications just published their first impressions on the F10 M5. Both Autobild and AMS confirm that a 7-speed DCT will be used, and both hint at an output of 560hp. According to AMS, BMW has also developed a new Limited Slip Differential. While the actual lock is still performed by visco clutches it now is able to work proactive and build-up lock even before one wheel loses … CONTINUED

We bring you more photos of the F10 M5 in beautiful monte carlo blue! Seen here is the expected production form of the F10 M5, with only front and rear details under any major camouflage. It is easy however to piece together what they look like from previous spy photos (posted below). The new M5 will be powered by a tweaked version of the S63 V8 twin turbo motor from the X5M/X6M, good for what we believe will be 585-600hp.

Also pictured are the best interior spy … CONTINUED

We’ve posted below the newest F10 M5 trailer and a separate extra length testing video, complete with commentary (and our English translation) from the test drivers. Enjoy the sights and sounds inside!

What makes for a great video? EVO’s Chris Harris and a pre-production F10 M5 on snow surely isn’t the worst thing to start with. Following two F10 M5 teaser videos on M-Power.com last week, this video shows Chris Harris going sideways in an F10 M5.

There’s also some more information on EVO.co.uk. BMW apparently confirmed with Chris Harris that the new M5 will have at least 555hp (that’s the output of the X5 M and X6 M) and that “there’s a seven-speed DCT dual clutch … CONTINUED

The countdown to the F10 M5 has officially begun. Here’s another teaser video from M-Power.com starring Dr. Kay Segler, CEO at BMW M GmbH, and some shots of a slightly disguised M5 during winter testing. We’re looking forward to learning all the details about the M5 in the coming weeks.

But, if that’s not good enough for you or you simply can’t wait that long, M-Power.com might have something for you. Register at the M-Power.com Closed Room and let BMW M know which dreams you associate with … CONTINUED

As we reported earlier, a new Closed Room on M-Power.com has just opened. As with the former Closed Room for the 1-series M Coupe, there’ll be tons of information and media made available over the next couple of weeks and months. Register for the new Closed Room at M-Power.com to have access to all upcoming information.

For now, here’s a first teaser video of the F10 M5.

The F10 M5 is almost upon us, with a concept version headed for a debut at the Shanghai auto show in April. Being in its FEP phase, it’s being tested in some different production colors. Before this particular model was spotted, the only other time a blue M5 has been spotted was at M’s Garching headquarters where it was spotted with its production rear exposed for the only time.

What we see here is basically the production form of the M5, albeit with front and rear bumper … CONTINUED

Motortrend provides some reasoning behind why the upcoming F10 M5 may be M-division’s first automatic-only model, featuring a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission only and no manual or dual clutch transmission option. (Thus far, the F10 M5 has only been spotted with automatic transmission)

Their reasoning for the lack of a DCT option is due to the monstrous torque that the F10 M5′s twin turbo DI 4.4L V8 motor from the X5M/X6M is expected to generate. The F10 M5 is expected to feature more power than even the … CONTINUED

Confirming the importance of the Chinese market to BMW, the F10 M5 Concept Car will debut at the Shanghai Autoshow in April, rather than at the Geneva show where it was originally intended to be debuted. Geneva will instead feature the debut of the BMW Connected Drive Roadster Concept.

The first details of the M5 production car will be launched in mid-summer and the
production F10 M5 will be shown at the IAA Frankfurt for it’s World public Premiere. US Public Premiere will be at the … CONTINUED

Not many details have been confirmed yet on the upcoming F10 M5, but in a recent interview with the head of M division, Dr. Kay Segler has confirmed that ceramic brakes for the F10 M5 is in the works! When posed with the question whether future M cars will be available with a ceramic brakes option, he responded that it’s being worked on, for the M5.

This would represent the first time that ceramic brakes are offered as an option on a production BMW. Ceramic brakes provide … CONTINUED

The 2012 F10 M5 continues cold weather testing and evaluation in Northern Sweden. As with our last F10 M5 photos, this one also wears a set of snow wheels/tires for testing purposes and are not the wheels we’ve come to know as the production wheels (which can be seen here and here). The mirrors you see are the production intent versions.

We were told that the speedometer topped out at 320km/h (199mph)

We have posted some older spy photos below (from the Nurburgring) which shows what the production … CONTINUED

The F10 M5 has been spotted undergoing another season’s worth of winter testing in northern Sweden. It’s spotted here with snow wheels/tires for testing purposes and are not the wheels we’ve come to know as the production wheels. The last time we saw the F10 M5 during winter testing it was nearly completely camouflaged, but it’s been over 9 months of slow strip tease by BMW since then. The mirrors are also from the regular F10 5-series. The significance of these photos is simply that the … CONTINUED

The first non-black FEP (final evaluation phase) F10 M5 prototype was spotted in September and we now bring more photos of an FEP stage M5. Its camouflage remains similar to recent F10 M5 test mules and the front and rear bumpers remain covered, but we have posted some recent revealing photos for reference. The mirrors and wheels are production intent.

The F10 M5 concept will bow at the 2011 Geneva show in March 2011 and … CONTINUED

This F10 M5 was just spotted at the M division R&D center. There have been more revealing F10 M5 prototypes, but this test mule features the first clear look at the M5 production wheels in silver finish. We have only seen it in a black finish until now.

Auto Motor und Sport brings us a great F10 M5 video clip. This one features plenty of hotlapping on the Nurburgring and even some controlled powersliding on the wet track.

2012 F10 M5 prototypes continue to be evaluated and tested on the Ring. The M5 is set to make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva autoshow as the "BMW Concept M5", which would be a near production identical version of the car to show off at various shows ahead of the official production car launch in Frankfurt.

The car will be a 2012 MY vehicle and be powered by a special version fo the S63 V8 that is currently … CONTINUED