What is it?
The sixth-generation BMW M5. The car to which, somehow, BMW’s M Division has added the driveshafts and controllers and clutch plates and joints and everything else necessary to so contentiously switch its long-serving super saloon idol from two driven wheels to four. That has also been made larger in every dimension than the car it’s succeeding; that has a more powerful, torque-laden turbocharged engine, too, and the most sophisticated electronic chassis control system that any of BMW M’s performance saloons and coupes have ever had.
All of that is true - and yet this car is also lighter than its simpler, rear-driven immediate predecessor. Admittedly, only by 15kg – but still; it’s lighter. That’s where we are. You can replace a two-wheel drive performance car with a four-wheel driver in 2018, and save weight. My ghast is well and truly flabbered.
But will it stay that way? And would yours, after a good, fast cross-country blast on British roads in this 591bhp fast four-door? Has the aforementioned big switch been made with the delicacy and care we’d all hope for?
If you’ve been a follower of the M5 for the better part of its remarkable three-decade-long history, you can look forward to a full Autocar road test workout on the new car and a separate group test get-together with a couple of likely adversaries in the coming weeks. By the time both are done and dusted, there will be no room for doubt in any important area.
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The answer to a question nobody asked.
Phenomenal machine .. but it gets me wondering about its actual purpose. If I wanted a vehicle with this level of performance and handling, I'd probably choose a sports car, rather than a 2-ton 5-seater - I can't imagine many considering this for track-day thrills. Conversely, if I wanted a 2-ton 5-seater for practical reasons, I doubt my passengers would appreciate being subjected to the sensual onslaught the use of anything approaching its potential would deliver, which in any case would be way beyond any sane road usage.
If you can afford it......
If your buying one you choose your exterior/ interior from the individual Pallette, like the one on the Sky Tv advert which is a special Paint job with a Matt Black grill, inside my preference would be a Black Leather, hides the stain if you wear Jeans a lot,and I don’t mind the aluminium machined fascia, it’s cool to the touch,and I’d spec Carbon ceramic Brakes also, my money my choice, what’s yours..?
The interior is available in
The interior is available in different colourways, people. Like saying you wouldn't buy a house because you don't like the colour the lounge is painted.
I rather like it but would prefer an estate, which they probably won't build. Alpina it is.