Twin turbo V8 for BMW M5?

The existing car’s 5.0-litre V10 develops 373kW at 7750rpm and peak torque of 520Nm at an equally ear-pleasing 6100rpm. There’s been no indication of the twin turbo V8’s likely outputs.

Turbomotors are expected to figure strongly in the 2011 5-Series range, with a blown 3.3-litre inline six and a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

Meanwhile, BMW is debuting turbocharged sixes and V8s in the 2009 model 7–Series flagship sedan.

The 7-Series’ 3.0-litre turbo six develops 240kW and the Twin Turbo V8 in the 750i and 750iL long-wheelbase model is good for 300kW and a massive 600Nm of peak torque.

It’s BMW’s first Twin Turbo V8 and the turbos are housed in the Vee between the cylinder banks.

There are also likely to be hybrids in the 2001 5-Series range. Hybrid versions of the X6 crossover SUV and 7-Series sedan are already in the pipeline.

BMW showed a 7-Series hybrid concept, combining the 300kW/600Nm Twin Turbo V8 with a 15kW/210Nm electric motor, at this year’s Paris motor show. BMW says the hybrid drive could cut fuel use and CO2 emissions by 15 percent over a petrol-only motor, and improve acceleration.

The 20i1 5-Series is tipped to have a longer wheelbase and to make extensive use of aluminium bodywork and the dimensionally smaller turbomotors to avoid a weight increase.

Photo captions: Current M5, 2009 7-Series, 7-Series hybrid’s engine bay.