Hey everyone, just got back from the IAA in Frankfurt, and the first thing I had to do was head straight to the ///M zone at the BMW stand to check out the new BMW M5. Let me tell you, it’s incredible! The build quality and overall presence of this car are seriously impressive.
Let’s dive right into what’s under the hood of this beast, the F10 M5. For an even more in-depth look, you can check out this detailed explanation of the F10 M5 engine and the official specs of the S63Tu motor.
As luck would have it, I bumped into a BMW buddy of mine from the European racing scene. He was kind enough to give me a personal tour, even shooing away some onlookers so I could get behind the wheel myself! Of course, I had a ton of questions about the engine, and he had all the answers.
My first impression of the engine bay was that it looked quite different from what I expected. The engine block itself is largely concealed. It’s covered by these two unusual boxes at the front, along with a maze of inlets, tubes, and the signature ///M plastic cover on top. With all these components positioned around and above it, you really get the sense that the engine is set quite far back and low within the engine bay, which is great for weight distribution and handling.
Here’s a breakdown of the questions I had for my BMW insider, and the insights he shared:
Question: What’s Hidden Beneath the ///M Cover?
I was really curious to see what was hiding under that iconic ///M cover. My BMW friend was hesitant to remove it, understandably so, given we were in the middle of the bustling ///M stand. But after some persistent questioning, he relented, under the condition that I wouldn’t take pictures of what was underneath without the cover.
Turns out, the ///M cover cleverly conceals the twin turbos. You can’t see them directly because of the heat shielding and some intriguing piping that surrounds them.
Question: What is the Purpose of the Piping Connected to the Turbos?
This strange looking piping running to the turbos immediately caught my eye. It’s not the typical setup you see in older turbocharged engines.
Question: What are the Two Boxes Located at the Front of the Engine?
These two prominent boxes at the front of the engine bay were a complete mystery at first glance. They definitely deviate from the traditional intercooler setup.
Answer: Air-to-Water Heat Exchangers
My friend explained that these boxes are actually air-to-water heat exchangers. They play a crucial role in cooling the compressed air coming directly from the turbos before it enters the cylinders. This is a key innovation in the BMW M5 engine design.
Question: How Does the Airflow System Work from Inlet to Cylinders?
Traditionally, turbocharged engines use an intercooler to cool the air after it leaves the turbocharger and before it goes into the intake manifold. However, the BMW M5 engine uses a more advanced system. By using air-to-water heat exchangers directly after the turbos, BMW engineers have designed a system that delivers cooler, denser air to the engine. This innovative approach maximizes performance by reducing intake air temperature more effectively than traditional intercooler setups. This means the engine receives cooler compressed air, which is vital for maximizing power and efficiency.
Beyond the engine itself, I was also impressed with the Head-Up Display in the new M5 – it’s fantastic! However, I did miss the carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof that was present in previous models. Though, a carbon look wrap could easily address that. And lastly, the black crossbars visible through the front kidney grilles are not my favorite detail. I’m already thinking about whether to spray paint them silver or gray for a cleaner look.
