According to Autocar, BMW official have now acknowledged that a 4-wheel-drive model of the new F10 M5 is being prepared for eventual production. The AWD F10 M5 will join the standard RWD M5 as an additional model and should be good news for those who live in snowy climates.
Original Post from 4/7/11:

Many speculated that a AWD F10 M5 was possible in the works when BMW released the promo videos of the new M5 undergoing serious snow testing. It appears there may indeed possibly be an F10 M5 xDrive version sometime in the future.

In an interview with Autocar, BMW M's head of research and development, Albert Biermann, indicated that “There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future," apparently to satisfy demand from the US's snow belt. This would represent the first time that the M5 come in a xDrive variant.

The only transmission details released so far for the concept F10 M5 is that it uses a Getrag 7-speed M DCT with M Drivelogic and has an Active M Differential, and standard RWD.

Presenting the first look at the official F10 M5 production model! These are leaked F10 M5 photos from AutoZeitung, a German publication.

Official power stats:

560PS (552hp) / 680Nm (501tq)
560hp at 6,000rpm (E60 M5 had max 507PS at 7750rpm)
Max torque at just 1500rpm (vs E60 M5 which had max torque of 507Nm)

0-100km in 4.4 seconds (E60 M5 took 5.7 seconds)
0-200km in 13 seconds
M-Drivers-Package will increase top speed from 250km/h to 305km/h
Active M-differential with torque vectoring
Possibly breaks 8min lap at Nurburgring

Tires are 265/35 ZR 20" front 295/30 ZR 20" rear


The F10 M5 production is barely changed from the concept version, featuring the same exterior styling, except for more streamlined side view mirrors and more aggressive sideskirts on the production model, as we predicted.

The official press release and full set of photos will come early next week, followed by the public debut at the M Festival (next Thursday, June 23).

More pics and details being uploaded... keep checking back.

This is it. Months after we drove a pre-production model out on a Swedish lake, here now are official images and details on the new BMW M5.

The unsurprising news? It looks exactly like the concept shown to a private group two months ago. The semi-surprising news? The twin-turbo V8 engine is putting down a sub-Cadillac CTS-V 552 horses. Hell, the uber-Caddy's even got a good 50 more torques than the new M5. Did an American automaker just beat the Germans at the power war? It seems so.
In March, when Chris Harris drove the new F10-platformed M5 for us and EVO magazine, BMW wouldn't yet confirm what tweaks had been made to the X6M/X5M twin-turbo V8, but admitted to different intake and exhaust systems and cryptically stating it would be unlikely to let the M5 have less power than the hot-UVs. True to form, the new M5 has more than 547 HP.

Unfortunately for BMW, it's only a little bit more — 552 HP. While a sizable jump from the previous E60 M5's power output, it's still a few horsies short of the newest badass bomber from across the puddle — the Cadillac CTS-V But really, the numbers aren't actually what's important here. The real important thing — as far as 'merican fanboys are concerned — is this is the first time a new BMW M5 has launched and a freakin' Cadillac can be considered the reference point on it. That's a shift of Teutonic proportions.
Here's what else we've learned from this leak of photos and data from AutoZeitung and BimmerPost:

0-100km in 4.4 seconds (E60 M5 took 5.7 seconds)
0-200km in 13 seconds
M-Drivers-Package will increase top speed from 250km/h to 305km/h
Active M-differential with torque vectoring
Possibly breaks 8min lap at Nurburgring

Tires are 265/35 ZR 20" front 295/30 ZR 20" rear

More details will come next week ahead of the official unveiling at the M Festival next Thursday. But for the moment, feast your eyes on this Thanksgiving-sized feast of photos of car you've pretty much already seen — and we've even driven. (Hat tip to Ed!)

Fifth generation of the world’s most successful high-performance saloon in the premium segment of the executive class; new BMW M5 is an exceptionally dynamic high-performance sports car with four doors and five seats; consistent further development of the vehicle concept initiated in 1984 with the first-generation BMW M5; compelling track potential combines with the comprehensive practicality of a luxurious business saloon; groundbreaking character headlined by significantly improved efficiency, supreme long-distance comfort, and innovative driver assistance systems and infotainment functions.

World premiere of a newly developed BMW M high-performance engine: high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo package – consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo technology, cross-bank exhaust manifold, High Precision Injection petrol direct injection and VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control; 412 kW/560 hp at
6,000 – 7,000 rpm, maximum torque: 680 Newton metres (502 lb-ft) from
1,500 rpm; lag-free power delivery, typical M car thrust.

Significantly improved balance between performance and fuel consumption: acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, 0–200 km/h (124 mph) in 13.0 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h / 155 mph (305 km/h / 190 mph with M Driver’s Package); average fuel consumption in EU test cycle: 9.9 litres/100 km (28.5 mpg imp); engine output 10 per cent up on predecessor model, maximum torque increased by 30 per cent, fuel consumption cut by more than 30 per cent; extensive Efficient Dynamics technology, including Auto Start-Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration.

Power transfer to the rear wheels via the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission Drivelogic; traction-optimised automatic gear selection; Launch Control; Low Speed Assistance; automatically activated parking mode; M-specific gear selector; M leather steering wheel with shift paddles.

Hallmark M conceptual harmony produces superior performance characteristics with precise interplay of drive and chassis technology, aerodynamics and weight balance; power-to-weight ratio: 3.3 kg (approx. 7 lb)/hp; M-specific suspension (front and rear axle kinematics), M Servotronic steering, Dynamic Damper Control, DSC stability control system including M Dynamic Mode; bodyshell mounting using special panels; lightweight compound high-performance braking system.

Outstandingly agile handling thanks to innovative rear axle differential with Active M Differential; electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential enables fully variable distribution of drive between the rear wheels to optimise traction and stability in dynamic lane change manoeuvres and acceleration out of corners; degree of lock can be varied between 0 and 100 per cent according to the situation; fast, precise and pre-emptive responses thanks to constant data cross-checking between the Active M Differential and DSC stability control system, and monitoring of the accelerator pedal position, wheel speed and yaw rate.

Two individually configured set-ups for the car can be called up using the new M Drive buttons on the steering wheel; range of programmable parameters unique in the segment: accelerator responses, M Servotronic responses, Drivelogic shift program, DSC mode, Dynamic Damper Control and information in the Head-Up Display.

Characteristic body design with familiar M aesthetics reflecting the car’s extremely dynamic yet precisely controllable nature; specific design features contributing to performance characteristics; front apron with extremely large air intakes for the engine and brakes; athletically flared wheel arches to emphasise wide track; hallmark M “gills” with integrated indicator bars; aerodynamically optimised rear apron with diffuser between the right and left-hand pair of twin exhaust tailpipes; gurney-style rear spoiler on the boot lid; 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in exclusive double- spoke design.

Unique combination of sports car cockpit and luxurious ambience for the interior; M-specific instrument cluster in black-panel technology; newly designed, leather-covered centre console; M sports seats; standard specification also includes: Merino leather upholstery with extended features, exclusive Aluminium Trace interior trim strips, BMW Individual roof liner in Anthracite, electrically operated steering column adjustment, four-zone automatic climate control and ambient light.

Extensive range of driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive unmatched by competitors in this segment and beyond: M-specific Head-Up Display (standard), Adaptive Headlights for standard xenon light, High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, Surround View, Speed Limit Info, internet usage, extended integration of smartphones and music players, real-time traffic information and apps for receiving Web Radio and using Facebook and Twitter.

Almost all BMW 5 Series Saloon equipment options available, including Comfort Access, M multifunction seats, active seats, doors with Soft Close Automatic function, hands-free tailgate opening, electric glass roof, trailer coupling.