Report: Twin-turbo V8 confirmed for 2012 BMW M5

Dr. Kay Sigler, head of BMW's M division has confirmed to no one's surprise that the next generation M5 would indeed use a twin-turbocharged V8 in place of the current model's V10. In fact, after last year's debut of the X5 M and X6 M we would have been quite shocked to see anything but the V8. While the 500 horsepower V10 in today's M5 is indeed powerful, in the years since its debut a number of even more powerful and, perhaps more importantly, torquier competitors have arrived.

The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Cadillac CTS-V and the turbocharged V10 in the Audi RS6 easily thrash the output of the Munich V10. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 cranks out 555 hp and 500 pound-feet in the two SUVs, but we're betting BMW will find a way to squeeze out even more for the sedan.

[Source: Auto Bild via BMW Blog]