BMW reveals the new generation M5 performance sedan

The 2018 M5 has been officially revealed by the Bavarian carmaker. The sixth generation M5 (codenamed F90) gets a rear-wheel-drive configuration for the first time.

The all-new M5 carries the subtle and mature looks of the 5 Series with the usual M bits. The front bumper is aggressive with large air-vents for better engine cooling. It sits lower on 19-inch (20-inch optional) sporty alloy wheels. The rear diffuser houses the characteristic quartet of exhaust tips. Other visual appearances that set the M5 apart are – a sculpted bonnet, carbon-fibre roof, and large M-spec compound brakes. The wheels are wrapped in 285/40 section Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres.

The cabin is well laid out in a typical BMW fashion. The sporty steering wheel gets aluminium paddle shifters and two red coloured M buttons on them. The Merino leather upholstery wraps the newly developed M multifunction seats. According to the Bavarian carmaker, these seats provide better lateral support as compared to the usual bucket seats. A floating iDrive infotainment display sits atop the multi-button centre console. The ‘joystick’ gearlever gets red highlights accentuating its sporty demeanour.

Under the muscular bonnet sits a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 monster. The reworked motor now breaths out 592 bhp of peak power between 5,600 and 6,700 rpm. Torque is rated at a monumental 700 Nm. With the phenomenal firepower, the super saloon can accelerate from a 0-100 kmph in mere 3.4 seconds. The top speed, meanwhile, is electronically limited to 250 kmph. However, with the optional M Driver’s Package, it can let the needle go all the way to 305 kmph. The new M5 tips the scales at just 1,085 kg, shedding nearly 90 kg over the outgoing model. The super saloon is the first non-SUV M model to get the xDrive as a standard fitment. The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission channels the raw power to a central transfer case. It distributes the power output variably between the front and rear axle, as required. The M5 also boasts of an Active M Differential at the rear axle.

The xDrive system is rear biased to retain the rear-wheel drive heritage of the M5. There are five different configurations available, based on the combinations of the DSC modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD). With the correct setting, the new M5 can be tail happy like all the previous M5s.

BMW has priced the new M5 at €117,900 (approx Rs 89.28 lakhs). Sales will commence only early next year. First 400 units of the new gen M5 will be sold as “First Edition”. This special-edition version gets BMW Individual ‘frozen dark red’ metallic paintwork and costs €19,500 over and above the standard model.