BASE PRICE: $80,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 5.0-liter, 500-hp, 369-lb-ft V10; rwd, seven-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 3900 pounds (est.)
0 to 60 MPH: 4.7 seconds (est.)

 

All that, with 4 doors....amazing. I still prefer the 2 doors though. I wonder if the M6 will have the same powertrain?

 

I prefer Audi instead of BMW. I never really liked BMW.

 

Yup. M6 will have the same powertrain.

In all Honestly BMW makes the best freakin cars in the world. Hands down. Bar none.

 

I guess that depends on what you are looking for. I won't doubt BMW's are really great performing, not to mention, a quality car. Not exactly the best bang for the buck or unique looking vehicle out there though.

BTW, I'm not sure I like the new design as much as the outgoing model. I'll have to wait and see it in person.

 

The rear looks like its staring back at you with the evil eyes.

 

Don't really care for it much myself. 500 hp sure, but look at the torque, it's kind of lacking. A Dodge Viper, for the same money, will give you more torque. Sure you can't fit four people and six golf clubs in a Viper.... but, to me anyway, BMW is becomming maybe a bit too higher end. Maybe something more normal like a two door six speed instead of a seven speed manual would be better. I have a hard time trying to shift a five speed. Six speeds have pretty complicated patterns as is. I wouldn't want to have to deal with a seven speed shifter. I think that is a little ridiculous. Shouldn't one over drive be enough? Well that's my opinion. My favorite, current production model, Beemer is still the Z4. Nothing is going to change that either and definitely not this. Though if I were in the market for a saloon like this, I'd just drop the money for a Jaguar Type S Type R. Not because Ford owns it, because it's less complicated, but in a good way.

 

Definately has ***** and looks good, but for $80,000 I'd expect them to build excellent cars!

Anything can be done with enough $$$.

 

blek

 

That is the coolest 4-door family car ever

 

I'd take a CTS-V first, even with less power.

 

BMW's new product has just been underwhelming for me. The 5 Series lost it's looks, bigtime. And now, the new M5 is a dissapointment to me from a design standpoint as well.

We have had the V-8 versus V-10 with similar displacement discussion before so I wont rehash that. But, I will say this car essentially embodies every complaint I lodged against replacing V-8's with V-10's. Look at the torque curve and peak torque compared to the outgoing V-8. The peak is no higher than the now five year old V-8 and low end torque has taken a hit in comparison (not cited above, but tq peaks higher in the V-10). I mean, peak torque is great in a V-10 powered Viper. But, it's 8.3L displacement might have something to do with that so this motor is a better indication of what you "give up" by going V-10 IMHO. At 5.0L a V-10 instead of a V-8 is for show or simple differentiation IMHO not real superiority. If BMW just had to have more cylinders they should have gone to a V-12 and pick up a few cubes while they are at it.

I can't get too excited about the 100 extra hp if only because you have to wonder what a newer V-8 would have been like. No doubt, upgrades other than just "more cylinders' were made to this motor when compareed to the older V-8. So, I have to wonder just how close a V-8 would have come to this in peak hp. And, I wonder how badly a redone V-8 with similar displacement would have beaten this in torque, which is a virtual certainty. It's a good thing the new M has seven gears, it's going to need the all of them against it's far torquier competition.

It is also worth mentioning that I recall an early Motor Trend review of the current M5 citing how surprised and pleased they were that the V-8 didn't suffer from the poor low rpm torque a lot of high output DOHC V-8's do. Wonder what they will say about this when driven back to back with an AMG Mercedes? I certainly don't expect to hear a repeat of that statement. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the same thing that was often said when comparing the turbo V-12 S Class to the n/a V-12 BMW. Which basically translates into "This Merc sure stomps the stuffing out of the Beemer"

If the power figures are accurate I can't imagine this thing out accelerating the current AMG E-Class on it's best day. Waaaaaaay too much torque disparity. God help BMW if Mercedes even barely breathes on the blown 5.4L under the hood. Power and sheer speed aren't everything, but they count more than this seems to indicate. Especially when the looks aren't there for the BMW either.

In all seeing the specs on this thing makes me glad the next Cobra wont be saddled with a V-10. The power curve is absolutely inappropriate for anything but a Boss 302 revival peak power ratings and possible displacement bumps aside.

However, I have no doubt the magazines and enthusiastic public will adore it. Even if RS6's and AMG's do pound it into the ground on a regular basis.

 

soon to come, 11 speed V-16 BMW...

 

I still prefer Mercedes to BMW as far as the German luxury companies go. Just feels classier, and they look much better.

 

i'd like to drive a 7-speed. Mainly out of curiosity. 5-speeds are perfect. Never driven a 6-speed, but i've played with them at the auto shows.