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1,774 views Jan 12, 2012

2013 BMW M5

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In the past few months, rumors of diesel-powered BMWs wearing the coveted M badge have multiplied like fertile and unsupervised rabbits. We’ve heard that the first such animal will be a 5-Series sedan with xDrive all-wheel-drive, but we’ve also heard that it will be based on the BMW X6 crossover.

Now comes word from Germany's Auto Zeitung that the first to market, at least in Europe, will be a diesel-powered M based on the 5-Series sedan. This was allegedly confirmed by BMW M Group’s head, Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, who also envisions a more comprehensive line of M vehicles from BMW in the future.

According to Auto Zeitung, the upcoming 5-Series M diesel will use a tri-turbo, 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 376 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque. BMW is claiming Euro-test-cycle fuel economy of 37.3 mpg, which is an improvement of nearly 57 percent compared to the 23.8 mpg achieved by the new, gas-powered M5.

Production of the oil-burning M sedan will reportedly begin in March, followed later in the spring by diesel versions of the X5 M and the X6 M crossovers. Which (if any) of these make it to this side of the Atlantic has yet to be determined, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted on any new rumors or updates we hear.