Exclusive: U.S. dealers already taking orders for new BMW M5, 1 Series M production has ceased

December 7, 2011February 5, 2012 Chris Chin 1-Series, 5-Series, BMW 1-Series, BMW 1-Series M, BMW 1-Series M Coupe, BMW 5-Series, BMW M5, Coupes, M5, Sports Cars

At the 2011 LA Auto Show earlier last month, I had a chance to site down with BMW’s product manager for the M-Division here in North America, Matt Russell. Many topics were tackled, but to kick off a series of posts that will be used to feature our exclusive interview, we start with BMW’s awesome 1-Series M-Coupe and the new 2012 BMW M5.

We all are familiar with the positive feedback that the 1-Series M-Coupe has generated throughout the various news desks in the automotive journalism industry. And to further support this, Russell himself stated that BMW too has been embracing the success of the 1-Series M-Coupe. And that’s something that was expected, adding that a little more than 500 copies have been sold—many of them being kept by dealers for personal collection. And even though production has ceased for the 1-Series M-Coupe, the official sales figures have yet to be tallied.

“We are thrilled with the success of the 1-Series M-Coupe and it’s the kind of success that we can’t repeat everyday,” said Russell. “But with the hype that’s been generated around the new M5, we could expect to see nearly the same amount of success with that car as well.”

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Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

As a segway, also Russell reminded us that the BMW M5 is set to launch in the summer of 2012 as a 2013 model. Despite European deliveries already taking place, he added that orders have already begun on a dealer level around the US, though BMW’s official order bank has yet to be opened.

Stay tuned to as we continue to provide you with more interesting bits from our one-on-one interview with BMW of North America’s M-Division Product Manager, Matt Russell.

Refresher: The 2012 BMW M5 is powered by a 4.4L V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo (consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo Technology) making 560-hp between 6,000 and 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 502 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission Drivelogic (with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters), the 2012 BMW M5 goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 13 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph or 190 mph with M Driver’s Package.

– By: Chris Chin