RSS
We knew the end was nigh for the current-generation BMW 6 Series with the arrival of the shapelier, de-Bangled 2011 5 Series. And with the impending arrival of the next generation of M-tuned machinery, we also say goodbye to the ten-cylinder engine that powered the E60 M5 and E63 M6.
The recently out-of-production M6, and its M5 sibling, were powered by an awesome 500-horsepower V-10 engine that prompted Mercedes and Audi to step up their supersedan offerings. The writing was on the wall. With automakers downsizing engines left and right in the name of performance and efficiency, we knew that a smaller engine was bound for the next M5 and M6 — a V-8, no less, though. We named the V-10 M5 an All-Star in 2006, and watched as it competed with the Mercedes-Benz E63 and Audi RS6.
The 535i that recently arrived in Ann Arbor as a Four Seasons test car has shown us what BMW can do with a twin-turbocharged, inline six-cylinder engine in a 5 Series wrapper. Audi is downsizing many of its V-8s to six-cylinder engines, and Mercedes is stuffing a 5.5-liter V-8 into some AMG models but is still calling them “63.”
Today’s Snap Judgment:
Is a V-8 the right choice to power the next BMW M5 and M6?
Care to defend the V-10? Could the M6 move to an even smaller powerplant? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
The V-10 in the M5 and M6 was a great engine. I really like small[er] displacement, high-power, high-revving engines. The V-10 sounded so sweet at full bore. Having driven the X6 M though, I think the next M5 and M6 will be just fine with the twin-turbo V-8.
A V10 is even more rare than a V12, so offering a V10 in the M5 made it stand out from other supersedans as well as other BMWs. I think that a better and bolder move would have been to drop the V10 into the 7 Series between the V8 and V12 models and keep the V10 in the M5. They may have even been able to find a way to stuff it into the M3. Now that would have been awesome! I’m all for fuel efficiency, but I also love power. I think that BMW could improve its CAFE by offering different types of engines in its US models, just as it does in Europe. That would leave room for one or two bad-boy Ms with V10s and V12s, which would keep up BMWs street cred as the Ultimate Driving Machine.
I’ll miss the V-10, as it was a unique offering in BMW’s large performance machines, and I’ll never forget the rumble the powerplant made at an idle. However, I’m always a fan of more power while consuming less fuel. Bring on the turbocharged V-8!