RUMOR: Upcoming BMW M5 To Feature High-Tech Brakes?

In cars with more than 500 horsepower, carbon-ceramic brakes have begun making a widespread appearance. And there is good reason for that: they're lighter and are more durable to the extreme driving that vehicles with this kind of performance are put through.

Although from the spy images that we have seen of the upcoming F10 BMW M5, it appears that the prototype vehicles haven't been sporting the carbon variation; however, BMW Group's managing director of M GmbH, Dr. Kay Segler, confirms that BMW is working on it.

**Read the excerpt from Sympatico down below OR click "Read Article" to see the FULL interview and accompanying video

In an interview with BMW's managing director of M GmbH, Dr. Kay Segler:

“You have to look into each and every screw, but you cannot expect what people might expect: that you could simply reduce 200 kilos in the snip of a finger… This is an equation which is very difficult and does not have an easy solution. But, we are working on it.”

The next-generation M5 for example, will have weight-saving carbon-ceramic brakes and the V10 of the outgoing car is being ditched in favour of a turbocharged V8.

Still, lightweight cars are gone. It’s hard to imagine that shaving a few grams off a bolt will compensate for more stringent safety regulations and the bulk of burgeoning “features” lists. Not until carbon fibre, composites and aluminum move into the mainstream will light cars live again...

[Source: autos.sympatico.ca]

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Photo Gallery

2012 Fiat 500 Photo Gallery

2011 Chrysler 200 and 300 Launch Photo Gallery

2012 Pagani Huayra Photo Gallery

2012 Porsche 911 Black Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

Yonder7 - 2/4/2011 5:34:16 AM

0 Boost

Good Idea but but at the price of a brand new Corrolla or Yaris?.....10k to 15k for that option looks too expensive. Most of us are willing to pay for it but still too expensive.

bmwm6 - 2/4/2011 7:42:41 AM

+1 Boost

No price has been officially set, but ceramics on any car are a pricey option.

Agent00R - 2/4/2011 4:06:27 PM

+1 Boost

@yonder

Although you have a valid concern, I am sure if BMW could achieve an economy of scale, like it is doing with carbon fiber, it could be had at a cheaper price...

...Hopefully we'll see soon enough...

MorePower - 2/5/2011 5:03:44 PM

+1 Boost

@Agent00R

You're right about the economy of scale, but the M-Series does not sell enough to reach that point. BMW would have to produce ceramic brake options for their entire line of vehicles, and probably outsource to other manufacturers, to justify getting into ceramic brake production. It's a really expensive process.

It would be cool if BMW would take the lead and start to make these a viable(reasonable)cost upgrade for any model in their line.

vinman1013 - 2/4/2011 11:24:43 AM

+4 Boost

Porsche has special brakes on option for about $15k.....

I'm sure that is the motivation!

Terry989 - 2/6/2011 8:04:35 PM

+1 Boost

You must be looking at very old data, as Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (PCCB) are a $8.1K option on a new 911. I love the idea of ceramic brakes; lower weight, longer life, and less brake fade. Unfortunately they are expensive and not always the best choice, so BMW would be smart to keep the cost of the car down and offer them as option.

If you are tracking or drive aggressively with a heavy car such as the BMW M5, ceramics are the way to go. If on the other hand, you drive mostly highways or city streets, and do a lot of cold weather driving, then I would pass on them. Ceramic brakes do not stop as well under this type of use as they need heat to be working at there maximum efficiency making them less appealing under emergency stopping conditions.