BMW has released the first images of the sixth-generation M5, due to arrive on UK roads in February 2018, and it promises to be another zinger.
The bloodthirsty 5 Series is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine, pumping out 591bhp and up to 750 Nm of torque (70Nm more than the old M5) from just 1,800rpm through to 5,600 rpm.
Linked to a new eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox, the new M5 can rally up to 62mph in 3.4 seconds, which makes it the fastest M5 ever. It’ll keep picking up speed too, until it hits 155mph, and the car is capable of getting up to 124mph in just 11.1 seconds.
The words ‘fuel economy’ probably aren’t even in the vocabulary of the people who would be interested in a car like this, but just in case, the M5 can apparently return a combined fuel consumption of 26.9mpg whilst emitting 241g/km of CO2. So no company car cruiser, then…
Drivers can choose to flick the engine into one of three settings: ‘comfort’, ‘sport’ or ‘sport plus’ to suit how they want to drive, with the latter two unlocking a swifter turbo response.
Much of the M5’s testing took place on the in-house race track in Miramas, France, as well as on the Nordschleife of the famous Nürburgring – widely accepted as the world’s toughest chassis test track.
New turbochargers have been developed, resulting in shorter injection times and better fuel atomisation, which make it faster and more efficient.
Looking at it, there are few hints at the M5’s lurking high performance, but the front bumper has been completely redesigned with enlarged air openings to supply the cooling systems and brakes with sufficient cooling.
The track width is greater than the previous M5 too, while the aluminium front wings – which carry characteristic M-sport cooling gills – help reduce weight.
A new colour – marina bay blue metallic – has been introduced for the new M5, but buyers can also choose from matte colours such as frozen dark silver or frozen arctic grey.
How much it’ll cost hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the current range-topping 5 Series is priced around £53,000, so that should give you a decent idea of what to expect.
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