Next BMW M5 will nix V10 in favor of twin-turbo V8
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 7th 2008 at 11:02AM 
BMW may begin straying from its long held tradition of equipping its M models with rev-happy, naturally aspirated engines. According to a source speaking with Automotive News, the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 currently equipped on the new X6, could be stroked out to 4.8-liters and fitted on future Ms, including the new M5, due out in 2011. The twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter inline six found in the 335i, 535i and entry-level X6 proved that BMW has the chops to create highly efficient and eminently entertaining blown mills, and there's no doubt that significant tweaks to the turbocharged V8 could boost power levels over the stock mill's claimed 407 hp, to take take serious aim at Audi's 572 hp RS6.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
eluderm3 11:09AM (7/07/2008)
Isn't stock HP on the TTV8 400 or did I misread something?
Reply
500 11:25AM (7/07/2008)
I'm sure they will tune it for more hp on an M5.
Hmmm, I remember just a few years ago BMW proudly saying they would never go with forced induction engines like Mercedes and Audi, because they dull the driving feel of the car (or something like that.) Never believe car companies' promises.
3seriesisking 1:05PM (7/07/2008)
They fixed the dull driving issue and now, with that out of the way are better able to bring the consumer more powerful, lighter, and more efficient engines that make their cars more fun to drive.
FotoGenetix 11:15AM (7/07/2008)
ugh and the M cars slowly lose its NA racing heritage. nothing beats the sound of a classic throaty and responsive NA with ITBs
Reply
auday 11:54AM (7/07/2008)
Not gonna happen, ... BMW might make a 5 series Sport Package with that engine but thery will leave the M cars untouched. Unless maybe if they are forced to do so by the new Cafe system in US which I think is totally unfair.
IK47 1:31PM (7/07/2008)
NA is preferable
but I don't think they really have a choice
FI opens up the limits that NA engines have reached
How about this: sell two M5 models; one with the NA V10, and the other with the twin turbo V8.
M5 and M5 Turbo
davido 11:23AM (7/07/2008)
Didn't BMW's 1.5 turbo fours make upwards of 1000bhp in F1 back in the early eighties?
Seems Bimmer knows turbo-charging.
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Carlos 11:33AM (7/07/2008)
Yes they did, but they'd only last one qualifying round. I'm salivating at the idea of an I6TT in an M3...
Way of the Future 11:45AM (7/07/2008)
buy a 335i
Zane 6:30PM (7/07/2008)
Carlos, get yourself a Vishu 335i. You could easily beat the living daylights out of most M3 poseurs..
User 3:43AM (7/09/2008)
... Whaaaaaatttttttttttt???
*Goes to Wikipedia*
User 3:55AM (7/09/2008)
For anyone else who hadn't heard of the engine davido mentioned:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6119291851686945330&q=bmw
There's a video of it placed inside an M1... WOW. That is the most ridiculous 1.5L four banger ever. WOW. It sounds amazing, too.
Reality_Check 11:24AM (7/07/2008)
This is a very sad day, that V10 was an award wining engine, and simply one of the best engines in the world, blame the Saudis.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 12:08PM (7/07/2008)
It's an award-winning engine that also makes less HP in more size (and weight and cost) than the LS7. The V10 never made any real sense.
Mirko 1:54PM (7/07/2008)
@why not the LS2LS7?
BMW has made two turbo gas engines in their entire history.
All right... 2002 turbo, E23 745i, Mini 1.6 turbo, 3.0 I6 turbo, 4.4 V8 turbo.
I count 5.
@Mobius_1
BMW's twin sequential turbos are quite brilliant idea, and implemented awesomely in the 1/3/535i/d models.
Only the diesels have sequential turbos. The gassers have parallel turbos.
Will Design for Food 3:46PM (7/07/2008)
The V10 in the M5 is definitely one of the best sounding engines I have ever heard. If they drop it in favor of the V8 I'd be disappointed. Although, I have never driven one of their turbocharged V8's. But damn, that V10 is awesome.
Rob 3:39PM (7/07/2008)
why not the LS2LS7 conveniently left off displacement, 5 liters, which it uses to make as much power as an LS7. The LS7 takes 2 more liters to make 505. I wonder why GM made an LS9? If it wasn't for competition it probably would not exist.
gwballin 5:01PM (7/07/2008)
Rob,
So BMW’s V10 has less displacement (a bad thing in my book), is physically larger (a bad thing in my book), weighs more (a bad thing in my book), makes less horsepower (a bad thing in my book), and makes significantly less torque (a bad thing in my book).
why not the LS2LS7? 10:34PM (7/07/2008)
Rob. I'll trade displacement for physical engine size, weight and cost. If it takes more displacement (like the LS7) to make more power in less space and weight than BMW's OHC V10, then I'm all for it.
I did forget the 745i turbo. The BMW MINI engine is a Peugeot engine, not a BMW engine. What is this 4.4 turbo you are talking about? I seem to have missed it completely.
HeyHuub 4:51AM (7/08/2008)
@why not the LS2LS7?
THe LS7 also doesn't make any real sense. Seeing as it's less powerfull, heavier and less economic as the 3.6 TT Flat 6 from Porsche.