SPY VIDEO: 2011 BMW M5 prototype whines its way 'round the Nordschleife
by Noah Joseph on Oct 12th 2009 at 10:29AM 
Click above to view video after the jump
If you were disappointed by reports that BMW was planning to retire the award-winning, high-revving V10 engine from the current M5 in favor of a twin-turbo V8, well...we can't really blame you. It's one heck of an engine, and we'll all miss it dearly. But all is not lost. The Bavarian automaker is hard at work on the next 5 Series, and with it the next-gen M5. And now spy video footage of the uber-sedan lapping the Nurburgring has surfaced.
With all the swirly camouflage, it's hard to tell much about the car's styling. You can expect it to follow the lead set by the new 5 Series Gran Turismo, though. But the engine – well, just follow the jump, watch the video and tell us if you're not hearing that telltale turbo whine. Thanks for the tip, Paul!
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iimprezu 10:44AM (10/12/2009)
Weee. I can't wait to hear it... but I'm at work!
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BrianFL 10:47AM (10/12/2009)
I 'm not really in a hurry for the new 5 series. The new styling trend that BMW has been going with lately is making me puke.
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Tael 2:18PM (10/12/2009)
Agreed. I don't like how there's the impression the car has been run into a wall and the front end flattened.
I very much prefer the e60's modern take of a 5-series
Rev Junkie 10:53AM (10/12/2009)
It's too bad that all you can hear is the turbos. Why not pipe in some more V8 noise? God knows a high-revving, (relatively) small-displacment V8 sounds fantastic. The V8 in the M3 sounds like a Honda DOHC VTEC engine with a hint of V8 burble when you reach the upper rev range.
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bltoe 10:57AM (10/12/2009)
Sure sounds like a turbo-V8 to me...
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MikeW 11:15AM (10/12/2009)
Sounds like a double clutch transmission, or they really tuned that ZF 8 speed auto to shift promptly!
300istheno. 11:16AM (10/12/2009)
Agreed...
Venom 11:24AM (10/12/2009)
Looks and sounds great.
Even the old guy at the end knows what's up. lol
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Silly Pickle 11:35AM (10/12/2009)
I hear car...whatever...but I did see smoke at about 2:03. That's a good thing right? :-) Just keeping the Turbo's oiled up...? Should last longer that way. Don't see how it'll pass emissions like that though...
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LaserRed38 11:39AM (10/12/2009)
The profile looks very Jag XF/Pontiac G8-ish. And that GT-R better watch out!
I'm loving this trend of many manufacturers turning to turbos again! Turbos, turbos for EVERYone!!!! ;)
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Adam Bruce 8:08PM (10/12/2009)
I'm sure the new M5 will be fast, but if it's GT-R fast then the whole world had better look out, 4-doors aren't supposed to be faster than a Porsche GT3!
ntcougar7 11:41AM (10/12/2009)
slow... ☻
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cool_ozzyfromkalush 11:42AM (10/12/2009)
You sure that's an M5, sounds more like an AK 47.
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Jooyong 12:18PM (10/12/2009)
I couldn't help but notice the GT-R following the M5 ...
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Hiimandy1 1:41PM (10/12/2009)
I saw that too. I was expecting a CTS-V to be chasing it, not a GT-R.
Sandok 1:10PM (10/12/2009)
God I miss the wail of that SUPERB V10 :(
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Joan of Arc 1:52PM (10/12/2009)
Lol at the GTR chasing the M5...
I love BMWs and all, but I hope the new M5 steps up the game this time around.
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0scar 1:43PM (10/12/2009)
Nice!!! Can't wait to hear one blow by me on the A6 Autobahn to Frankfurt.
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mastershake 1:56PM (10/12/2009)
I'm pretty sure thats a 7 series, not a 5.
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Kaveh 3:14PM (10/12/2009)
In the beginning you can hear the Turbos kick in. Has a nice V8 rumble going on too. the tires don't really seem to make that much noise, they must be running some new ones.
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