BMW plans to offer carbon-ceramic disc brakes on the new M5 - and thus, by extension, on the subsequent M6 coupé.
Head of procurement Dr Herbert Diess has confirmed to BimmerFile that BMW and Italian industry leader Brembo - which already supplies braking components for the new F10 M5, specifically the six-piston callipers - have been testing a package using discs made by a joint venture between Brembo and carbon-fibre spcialist SGL.
SGL, it would seem, swings both ways; it also has a joint venture going with BMW to make carbon-fibre trim and body kits.
The ceramic brake package for the F10 will use the same six-pot callipers as the standard cast-iron set-up (but finished in a different colour) but the rotors will be much bigger in diameter, making a switch to 20” rims compulsory.
This is not pie in the sky; the M5 will apparently be available with ceramic brakes as soon as the third quarter of 2012, although whether they will be offered on South African-market M5's is something you'll have to ask BMW SA.