This F1-powered BMW M5 Touring was the test mule for the McLaren F1

Some time ago we talked about the only BMW 750iL Touring in the world and how it reappeared in secret after many years. Now let’s share what we’ve learned about the only existing BMW M5 Touring with a McLaren F1 drive. In a previous article we talked about the existence of such a BMW M5 Touring, but we now have a bit more detail.

The new details come from the Collecting Cars Podcast, moderated by Top Gear presenter Chris Harris. In a more recent series, he invited David Clark – McLaren’s director of road and racing cars from 1994 to 1998.

The new details come from the Collecting Cars Podcast hosted by Top Gear presenter Chris Harris. In a more recent series, he invited David Clark – McLaren’s Director of Road and Racing Cars from 1994 to 1998. The test mule for McLaren F1 development was a BMW E34 M5 Touring, which later went with the S70 / 2 V-12- Engine equipped was found in the British hypercar.

Clark said this is the only M5 Touring in existence to feature the 6.1 liter V-12 engine and has never been shown to the public. The BMW E34 M5 was originally powered by a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that developed 311 horsepower and 265 pound-feet (360 Nm). For 1992 the M5 Touring also got the M treatment. The displacement grew to 3.8 liters and now made 340 hp and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm).

David Clark admitted that while he was a huge supporter of McLaren F1 development, he wanted to end the BMW engines deal after the hypercar officially launched. For this reason, of the 350 engines agreed, only 106 were delivered to McLaren.

While no performance data is available, the 6.1-liter V-12 in the BMW M5 Touring test mule, which made 618 horsepower and 477 pound-feet (647 Nm), should do a 0-60 mph (97 km / h) allow in around 4.0 seconds and a top speed of near 200 mph (322 km / h).

Unfortunately, we may never know, as the one-off station wagon is hidden away in a warehouse full of other prototypes. That said, we believe the BMW E34 M5 Touring V-12 deserves a place alongside the 750iL Touring as one of BMW’s hottest grocery stores.

Source: DriveTribe