- VW built its 5.0-liter V10 by combining two of its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engines.
- This E39 M5’s naturally aspirated W10 delivers an impressive 480 hp and 437 lb-ft.
- VW spent approximately €2 million developing this W10-powered monster.
If you saw this E39-generation BMW M5 cruising down the road, you would think it was just like any other and powered by the brand’s beloved S62 V8. However, this M5 hides a big secret under the hood. Instead of a V8, it has a W10 engine from Volkswagen.
The story of this M5 starts in 1999 when VW acquired it and set about developing a sedan of its own that could rival it. While VW could have easily fitted one of its own V8s into the M5, that wasn’t Ferdinand Piëch’s style. He wanted something a little more special.
Read: The M5 Is Way Too Heavy So BMW Made The Grilles Skinnier
VW’s idea was to combine two of its 2.5-liter VR5 five-cylinders into a single engine, forming a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated W10. Just a handful of these engines were ever built, though its creation contributed to the brand’s successful W12, built by combining two VR6 six-cylinder engines, and the Veyron and Chiron’s W16, based on the VR8.
Two Five-Cylinders Combined
Broad Arrow Auctions
In this application, the W10 delivers 480 hp and 437 lb-ft (592 Nm) of torque, very solid figures for the day. VW tested this prototype extensively, and Piëch even used it as his personal car at one stage. Apparently, VW spent roughly €2 million ($2.27 million) on the project, but never commercialized the W10 engine. In fact, just three units are thought to have been built, and this is the only one fitted into a road-legal car.
Broad Arrow Auctions is selling this wild M5 on October 9, and expects it to sell for between €250,000 and €350,000 ($285,000 – $399,000). Not only is it an M5 with a W10 engine, but it also has a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. For collectors looking to own a piece of VW history, this is the kind of opportunity that will not be repeated.
There’s no word on how many miles the car has been driven, as the original gauge cluster and odometer have been replaced. Given all the scuffs, scrapes, and stone chips visible at the front, it’s fair to assume it’s been well-loved and driven hard.
Broad Arrow Auctions
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