The heart of any BMW M5 is its powerful engine. For the 2012 model, that means the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque that’s already found in the X5M and X6M. To increase fuel efficiency 25 percent over the V-10 in the 2010 M5, which was rated at a mere 11/17 mpg, the 2012 model will use an automatic start-stop function in combination with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. An Active M differential will be employed to split power between the rear wheels, which should improve handling by over-driving the outer wheel in a turn. BMW assures us the M5 has large enough brakes to lap the Nürburgring right from the showroom. When it arrives next year, we will, of course, verify.
Anytime we’ve gone through a bit of an oil crisis, technology always bounces back. Everyone probably said the muscle car was dead 30 years ago, but it’s actually in full force even stronger. So this year we start with the SRT8, with the first time it’s had cylinder deactivation. I keep seeing technologies enabling performance, not being hindered by it. I see that happening… probably more radical swings in the ability to have, let’s say, a 400-hp engine that gets 40 mpg as well. We’re finding that multispeed transmissions are also a phenomenal thing that’s just now starting, almost like the 20-speed bicycle back in the day, that’s just now becoming more commonplace. That’s a huge advantage — having an engine that sleeps when it needs to, that performs. On top of that I see Porsche has already started to dabble in this space where you’re using hybrid technology as a performance enhancer, not just for fuel economy. So I see the future being all about duality, having your cake and eating it too. Because everyone’s going to need that intellectual alibi when they buy their next performance car in 10 years.
There will still be a handful of V-8s out there, but we’re going to invest in fours and sixes. With the SRT, we’ve had turbo fours in the past. We’re looking at active dampening, which we actually have today in the SRT8 Charger. So it’s taking all these technologies that people associate with relatively exotic cars, and bringing it down to the Dodge customer, making it much more affordable.