Carscoop.com has a nice write-up and spy shots on the upcoming BMW M5 update: SPY SHOTS: 2011 BMW M5 with Twin-Turbocharged V8 – Carscoop.
Basically BMW is pumping up the horsepower to try to match the Cadillac CTS-V’s performance. Testing at the Nurburgring (unreleased times), the next M5 is rumored to use the engine out of the BMW SUVs, a 4.4L Turbocharged V8. In the BMW X5M and X6M SUVs, the bi-turbocharged V8 produces an output of 555 hp at 6,000 rpm and 501-lbs/ft of peak torque at 1500-5600 rpm. Very close to the numbers that the mighty 6.2L Supercharged LSA engine in the super sedan CTS-V makes, at 556 hp at 6100 rpm and 551 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm.
The whole reason that Cadillac began testing at the Nurburgring with the development of the original 1st generation CTS in 2002 (released in 2003) is that it is one of the ‘home’ tracks for BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche. Had to be hard for BMW to see the Cadillac CTS-V sedan set a lap time at the ‘Ring in stock production form & tires that none of the BMW sedans could match.
It is a shame that the BMW M5 is losing its current V10 engine. I understand that such a large, heavy sedan needs an powerplant with more torque, but the BMW M5 at the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge made a nice sound raging down the straight. I like V-10s, V-12s, and V-16s and wish there were more in production.
2010 6.2L V8 SC LSA LoR
Remains to be seen if the new BMW M5 will just be a ‘catch-up’ effort, or if Cadillac will need to turn the volume on the CTS-V up to ’11’ by putting the hand-built LS9 engine from the Corvette ZR1 in their flagship sedan. That engine makes 638 hp at 6500 rpm, and 604 ft-lb at 3800 rpm. Besides a larger supercharger, it has forged internals and other go-fast aids.
Competition is good; it improves the breed. Nobody is better at a HP race than GM, if no holds are barred and power adders & displacement are allowed.
As I mentioned on Twitter, the CTS-V Sport Wagon may actually corner better than the Sedan, because of the weight distribution although at the cost of another 200 lbs. It will be really fun to see the CTS-V Sport Wagon put up an amazing time at the Nurburgring.
