Mar 31, 2025 · Discover the wild story of VW’s secret W10-powered BMW M5—a prototype born from Piëch’s obsession and worth nearly $500K today.

Aug 3, 2023 · VW tested its prototype W10 engine in an E39 BMW M5. That car has survived and is now for sale, and it may have the only working W10 on Earth.

Aug 6, 2023 · Indeed, it appears a Volkswagen W10-engined E39 BMW M5 is out there. A car that still exists, and worked well enough back then that it was pressed into daily service by VW’s CEO.

Aug 5, 2023 · The Drive has done some extensive research to uncover the origins of this mysterious motor, learning along the way that one such W10 found its way into a BMW M5 at one point, long before the ...

Mar 31, 2025 · According to the video, Piech actually drove this W10-powered BMW as his own ride, testing out the 480-horsepower engine to find out if it was viable. Or at least, that's the excuse he gave.

For years, the “W10 M5” was little more than internet folklore—an automotive Bigfoot. Some believed Volkswagen had built a ten-cylinder W engine. Fewer believed one had ever been installed in a car. But in 2023, The Drive tracked down …

Mar 31, 2025 · The one-of-a-kind, W10-powered M5 is for sale, and it costs approximately as much as a new Ferrari Purosangue, according to Drive Tribe.

Mar 31, 2025 · The W10 itself was essentially two VR5 engines that were merged with each other, but in contrast to conventional VR units, it showed a light aluminum block. VW even produced a tailor -made carbon fiber box and led the engine through an independent ECU.

Apr 3, 2025 · We first discovered this unique BMW E39 M5 when it was listed for sale in Belgium. The car’s story starts with Volkswagen using it as a test mule for a prototype W10 motor. The vinyl decals on the car states the W10 motor makes 450-500 …

4 days ago · Developing an engine as impressive as the W10 is very cool. But would there have actually been a good use for it? That's a question we can't definitively answer. Because the …