The 2011 BMW M5 has been spied being put through its paces around the Nurburgring in Germany.
Despite moving down in displacement, advanced technology and twin-turbochargers have this prototype M5 producing at least 555 horsepower – and fuel consumption is down compared to the V10, which was rated at 17 mpg highway. The M5 will remain a rear-wheel drive sedan, looking to agility, power and advanced traction control to provide performance – not all-wheel drive.
On the M5′s exterior, “M” badged fender vents are still present, which now sit above a new set of argent-colored high-performance wheels. Behind the wheels are the massive drilled and slotted rotors – a clear indicator that this indeed the range-topping M5 performance sedan.
Out back, we can see the traditional quad exhaust setup that graces M models.
The next M5 should surface at a major auto show sometime during 2010, but the high-powered sedan might not hit dealer showrooms until 2011.