Since the launch of the current-gen BMW M5 there's been word circulating like vultures over a dead carcass.
"The next-gen M5 will go all-wheel drive."
"The next-gen M5 will NOT come with a manual gearbox."
Well, those close to the situation are reporting all-new information about the next-gen M5. They're saying that the motor from the current-gen model will be carried over — not a huge surprise given that the Bavarians have done this before with the X5/6Ms engine, generation-to-generation.
Here's the big news:
In addition, the next-gen M5 will only be offered with xDrive.
That's right, the rear-wheel drive is said to be going six feet under. While I will caveat this report with this is merely conjecture and speculation at this point, all signs seem to point to this being the direction BMW will be heading. The reality is that with Audi's RS7 and Mercedes-AMG's all-wheel drive high-performance models, the big daddy M cars don't have much of a choice but to adapt in order to remain competitive.
Having said that, do YOU think this is a move in the RIGHT or WRONG direction? What say you, Spies?
November 2015 Update:
New info:- 740e and 760i are coming as MY2017, and M760i will be there either alongside 760i or as the only 12 cyl variant.
- X2 is F39, not F47, and for now it's only xDrive28i for the U.S.
- F34 LCI will be in 07/16 for MY2017.
- F90 M5 is confirmed with the same engine as the current M5 (tweaks are possible of course) and xDrive only.
- Wifi hotspot and wireless charging will be available for MY2017 in all 2/3/4 series cars.
- MY2017 i3 (07/16 intro) will come with the 94Ah battery (the current one is 60Ah, so expect the new model to have 120 miles all-electric range; it is possible the 60Ah versions can be retrofitted with the new battery).
- (So far unconfirmed, but the signals are strong) All UKL platform cars (both BMW and Mini) are going to get the dual clutch transmission some time in 2017.
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