Now that there's less reason for secrecy since we've already seen the standard versions of the new F10 5-Series on the road, BMW has started peeling off the psychedelic camouflage from its 2011 M5 prototypes.
Key stylistic highlights of the new M5's look will include the four tailpipes, chunkier front and rear bumper designs, unique exterior mirrors and alloy wheels while there's also talk about a carbon fiber roof and bootlid which should also help reduce weight.
As we've already told you in earlier posts, BMW's new uper saloon will be the first M5 to adopt turbocharging with power coming from a reworked version of the X5 M and X6 M's 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that replaces the current model's V10 unit.
Details of the new engine remain secret but it is believed that in the M5, the V8 engine will produce more than the 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque it does on the X5 M and X6 M, flirting closer to the 600HP mark.
The new unit will not only be more powerful and lighter than the outgoing V10, but also more efficient. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be further reduced thanks to a suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including a start and stop system, electronic flaps in the front fascia of the car that can close to improve aerodynamics, Brake Energy Regeneration and Electric Power Steering.
Along with the new V8 powerplant, the F10 M5 will get a re-engineered version of the BWM M3's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission (DCT), and hopefully for purists, a 6-speed manual gearbox (this has not yet been confirmed).
Like today's model, the new M5 will also benefit from suspension, brake and steering system upgrades to further improve handling and driver's feedback.
We could see the M5 in the flesh as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show, though it's more likely to be unveiled at a major international car show in 2011 with sales to start towards the end of the same year.
