For the past month, BMW has been teasing us with a series of cryptic video clips showing frustratingly little of its upcoming M5. More recently, the company invited a select group of journalists to a closed-door reveal of the upcoming M5 concept, but the strict embargo proviso that accompany such events was clearly lost on a journo from Russian website, Transmissia, who have leaked clear images of the car ahead of its Shanghai Motor Show debut…
In BMW parlance, the term “concept” is a somewhat loose one – if you can remember the M3 Concept that the company revealed at the 2007 Geneva Show, you’ll recall that it wasn’t far-removed from the finished article. As such, the M5 concept should be pretty close to the real deal.
Much of the car is stock F10 5 Series, although the mean alloy/brake combination hints at serious performance.
BMW has, however, managed to keep its cards close to its chest when it comes to performance figures and power outputs.
The engine earmarked for this model is a re-packaged version of the 4,4-litre twin-turbo V8 currently doing service in the M-derivatives of the X5 and X6 which will reportedly develop in excess of 414 kW. Power will be channeled to the rear wheels via an as-yet undisclosed automatic transmission – either a dual-clutch M-DCT unit or possibly the ZF-sourced 8-speed ‘box modified for high-performance use.
The M5 Concept is expected to make its official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show on April 19, and will be accompanied by a series of stillborn M-car projects, among which will be the company’s recently-revealed April Fool’s joke – the M3 pick-up…
