[lemetier]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

Very interesting, thanks for sharing! What is that round lens looking thing under the front plate? Would have been cool if they could have shot some interior pics. (Although it probably would have been mostly covered anyway)

The big lens in the middle is the Radar and LIDAR Transmitter/Receiver for Active Driving Assistant Plus with Stop & Go Active Cruise Control. The smaller sensors just below and offset from the front plate are for testing purposes (emissions mapping).

[Danyutz]

I don't think this is the M5, but probably M50d to be sent in the Death Valley for testing? Also Yokohamas?

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

I see a LSD. No xDrive on this one?

I wouldn't write it off by the rear differential alone. Keep in mind that despite the recent statements that the F90 won't be "AWD", the statement that all future ///M Vehicles above a certain torque value will be RWD with "additional traction" has been made. Easy way to interpret that statement is 100% rear bias most of the time and drive power to the front axle only under extreme conditions. If the images of the front were just slightly brighter, it could be confirmed whether front output shafts are present or designed to be installed.

The rear axle looks to be a new design (no more Integral IV) and is cleverly camouflaged. Looks like active kinematics are present along with active aerodynamics.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by Danyutz

I don't think this is the M5, but probably M50d to be sent in the Death Valley for testing?

No it's an M5 for testing in Coachella Valley. Palm Springs is fairly deserted in the summer so it's common to see prototypes in the area. It's often as hot as Death Valley but more humid and more variety of geography and weather. BMW has the Thermal Facility near by as well for hot track punishment.

There won't be a US M550d so no need to do hot weather testing in this market. South Africa is where RoW hot weather testing is performed.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by Danyutz

I don't think this is the M5, but probably M50d to be sent in the Death Valley for testing? Also Yokohamas?

I think you are wrong. This is def the M5, not a M50d or M550d (whatever it is called)

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Inge_F

What should it burn then, coal?

I had a F10 M5. I had to top it off with 1qt of oil every fuel up. The S63Tu is very thirsty for "motor oil." So the current gen burns "motor" oil, but it's a hit of miss. Poor break-in procedure are guaranteed to burn oil on the S63Tu.

I had my X5M for 13k miles, only had to top it off with oil once. The S55 on my last M3 on the hand, 13k mi and never had to top off the oil once. Even during hot track days. Whatever BMW did right for the S55, they need to do that for the next gen V8TT.

[figgie]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

Very interesting, thanks for sharing! What is that round lens looking thing under the front plate? Would have been cool if they could have shot some interior pics. (Although it probably would have been mostly covered anyway)

that is simple.

that is the active cruise radar first introduced on the G11/G12 7 series. same spot and everything. I wonder if it will have the active front grills which open close.

[raysspl]

Looks good in that camo lol

[jpics80]

Cant wait!

[dhirm5]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I had a F10 M5. I had to top it off with 1qt of oil every fuel up. The S63Tu is very thirsty for "motor oil." So the current gen burns "motor" oil, but it's a hit of miss. Poor break-in procedure are guaranteed to burn oil on the S63Tu.

I had my X5M for 13k miles, only had to top it off with oil once. The S55 on my last M3 on the hand, 13k mi and never had to top off the oil once. Even during hot track days. Whatever BMW did right for the S55, they need to do that for the next gen V8TT.

I have a '14 M5; did the aggressive break in, and have never had to add oil in nearly 3 years. My experience suggests hard break in is the way to go.

[AlphaM]

look at the front carefully, it will have a VERY similar look like the X5M. look at the hidden curves, etc. it's identical!

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by dhirm5

I have a '14 M5; did the aggressive break in, and have never had to add oil in nearly 3 years. My experience suggests hard break in is the way to go.

100%

I would say it is almost factual based on my experience and many others that I know that if you go hard from the beginning it is less likely to burn oil then if you go easy for the first 2000 miles and then start blasting it after 2000km

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by AlphaM

look at the front carefully, it will have a VERY similar look like the X5M. look at the hidden curves, etc. it's identical!

You'll be disappointed. The front will be familiar for sure, but it will be very aggressive and new. A little mix of 2002 Hommage, M2, and M3/4 but with its own unique face.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

xDrive is likely to be offered the next gen or LCI. Not for this version.

If this car is 300lbs lighter and doesn't burn "motor" oil, I'll buy an M5 again.

Well someone flung out a figure of 180kg (396lb) weight loss which I highly doubt even for a RWD version and impossible if there is any front axle drive assembly. The F10 really isn't THAT heavy. The E60 had a totally unique chassis that was all aluminium from the firewall forward and it was less than 150lbs lighter and had a horrible power band for a daily driver.

As for the F90 powerplant, and I want to make clear this is solely a guess on my part and not a leak, but I would be inclined to think the engine designation won't be S63. It's already on its 3rd update (S63O0, S63T0, S63T2) and that seems to be BMW's limit these days. The improvements that came from the S63TU benefited the N63 so perhaps the M version may appear slightly before the standard version. The collaboration with Toyota might actually be just what BMW needed. They've actually done a pretty good job incorporating Turbocharging, Toyota is great at building bulletproof I6, V8, V10, and V12 motors, so a combination is almost perfect.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by miamiten

The tires on this mule are interesting. Same sizes as the F10 but smaller than a few earlier mules. The ADVAN Sport V105 is a VERY good and often overlooked tire. The only drawback with them on a current F1X M5/6 is their acoustics. MPSS and PZero are already difficult to hear with the windows up when pushing the car. The Yoko's are even quieter but these are BMW spec prototypes with detail data removed so they are most likely designed with more limit noise like the Conti's and latest MPSS release.

Thanks Liam, what size were they on the earlier ones? I had expected to see 275 and 305 on the F90 M5.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by brad850csi

Thanks Liam, what size were they on the earlier ones? I had expected to see 275 and 305 on the F90 M5.

One mule was running 275/40-20F and 305/35-20R but that could have been to simulate snow chains fitted for clearance check as I'm confident the F90 will have active kinematics (roll stabilization and rear axle steering) in some form. I found a pre production CAFD file in a recent psdzdata update that has parameters for Bosch ESC 10+ for "M GmbH Prototypen". Some very interesting info in there.

For your project I think we've found an ideal combination. This M6GC is the demo for one of our M6 GT3/GTLM drivers and he's very pleased with the changes and specs. 20" 1p with the same front width/offset and a 1/2" narrower rear are going on. He'll ring it out and make any necessary suspension adjustments. Give the butt some more grip without making it unpredictable and balancing out the front without ruining the steering.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by miamiten

Well someone flung out a figure of 180kg (396lb) weight loss which I highly doubt even for a RWD version and impossible if there is any front axle drive assembly. The F10 really isn't THAT heavy. The E60 had a totally unique chassis that was all aluminium from the firewall forward and it was less than 150lbs lighter and had a horrible power band for a daily driver.

As for the F90 powerplant, and I want to make clear this is solely a guess on my part and not a leak, but I would be inclined to think the engine designation won't be S63. It's already on its 3rd update (S63O0, S63T0, S63T2) and that seems to be BMW's limit these days. The improvements that came from the S63TU benefited the N63 so perhaps the M version may appear slightly before the standard version. The collaboration with Toyota might actually be just what BMW needed. They've actually done a pretty good job incorporating Turbocharging, Toyota is great at building bulletproof I6, V8, V10, and V12 motors, so a combination is almost perfect.

4,450lb isn't heavy? That's 7 series weight, actually the new 7 might be lighter. I'm betting the new M5 will lose about 150-200lbs as the 7 series did.

For the M5 to be considered "fun" to drive, it needs to get closer to the E60 weight. BMW was able to shed weight on the F80 M3, lighter compared to the E90.

By the way, it's already confirmed that there won't be an xDrive version yet. Unless it's just competitive distraction technique.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by miamiten

One mule was running 275/40-20F and 305/35-20R but that could have been to simulate snow chains fitted for clearance check as I'm confident the F90 will have active kinematics (roll stabilization and rear axle steering) in some form. I found a pre production CAFD file in a recent psdzdata update that has parameters for Bosch ESC 10+ for "M GmbH Prototypen". Some very interesting info in there.

For your project I think we've found an ideal combination. This M6GC is the demo for one of our M6 GT3/GTLM drivers and he's very pleased with the changes and specs. 20" 1p with the same front width/offset and a 1/2" narrower rear are going on. He'll ring it out and make any necessary suspension adjustments. Give the butt some more grip without making it unpredictable and balancing out the front without ruining the steering.

Those are quite tall tyres, roughly in the same region as the G11, interesting. That would allow for the Ferrari 315/35/20 tyres to be fitted easily though.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

4,450lb isn't heavy? That's 7 series weight, actually the new 7 might be lighter. I'm betting the new M5 will lose about 150-200lbs as the 7 series did.

For the M5 to be considered "fun" to drive, it needs to get closer to the E60 weight. BMW was able to shed weight on the F80 M3, lighter compared to the E90.

By the way, it's already confirmed that there won't be an xDrive version yet. Unless it's just competitive distraction technique.

I just hope that any weight loss is from the front end of the car. The current M5 and M6 variants are all around 52.5% weight at the front which just results in less grip for the rear tyres. Ferrari with the 612, FF and F12 have said they target around 54% weight on the rear wheels to provide the best possible handling overall.

They would need to remove 220lbs just from the front though to bring it back to 50/50 though, which I can't see could possibly happen, at least with an 8 cylinder engine or without moving to a transaxle which definitely won't happen for the M5, but might for the M6 depending on how BMW attempt to position it.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by dhirm5

I have a '14 M5; did the aggressive break in, and have never had to add oil in nearly 3 years. My experience suggests hard break in is the way to go.

Curious as to what you would consider "hard break in".

Not flaming, genuinely curious...

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Denis91

This is a radar for Active Cruise Control. First time for M5

....which would explain the horrible integration with the grille and the insanely poor positioning. I mean, why not just put scoops around it so that you're guaranteed to break it with a rock?

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by brad850csi

I just hope that any weight loss is from the front end of the car. The current M5 and M6 variants are all around 52.5% weight at the front which just results in less grip for the rear tyres. Ferrari with the 612, FF and F12 have said they target around 54% weight on the rear wheels to provide the best possible handling overall.

They would need to remove 220lbs just from the front though to bring it back to 50/50 though, which I can't see could possibly happen, at least with an 8 cylinder engine or without moving to a transaxle which definitely won't happen for the M5, but might for the M6 depending on how BMW attempt to position it.

New 7 series lost about 150lbs. 4,500lbs 45.7/54.3% (long wheel base)
I think the M5 would be closer to 200lbs lighter, lighter suspension components/CF roof/more alum/CF parts.