The V-10 engine in the 2006 M5 is a first for BMW. The engine was designed to exploit high engine speeds to achieve maximum performance. The new 5.0-liter V-10 produces 500 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and the 383 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,100 rpm. Compare those figures to the previous M5, which housed a 4.9 liter V8 with 394 horsepower and 368 lb.-ft. of torque. Notice the new car’s 106-horsepower increase. BMW makes use of high tech engine components in this all-new V-10 engine. Lightweight and specially-shaped “box type” hydraulic lifters derived from racing technology, lightweight valves, hollow camshafts, light but strengthened pistons and connecting rods, and electronically controlled individual throttles for each cylinder all contribute to the M5’s impressive performance. Other features include a 12.0:1 compression ratio and new ionic-current technology that allows the individual spark plugs to perform engine knock sensing.