Accidently first shown undisguised on the cover of the Electronic Arts game Need for Speed: Payback in June, the official images, on first glance, confirms those of the game and shows the M5 adopting a more aggressive appearance than before, made up of a wider front bumper with larger air intakes, carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof, aluminium bonnet and side panels, redesigned rear diffuser, M specific rear apron, quad exhausts, aerodynamic optimised mirrors and a choice of 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels.
Underneath its skin, the revisions are more extensive with the M5 making extensive use of aluminium and other lightweight materials to save weight. Tipping the scales at 1 855 kg, the M5, known internally as the F90, features a new double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear setup, with a steel X-brace and aluminium transverse strut, BMW claims improves stiffness and resulting in more response.
In addition to a three mode (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus) M Damper Control system, electronically controlled shock absorbers and firmer anti-roll bars, the F90 also receives BMW's M Servotronic steering with three modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus), standard M compound brakes with blue calipers, and optional M carbon ceramic stoppers with gold painted six-piston calipers at the front and singles at the rear that saves 23 kg.
Claimed to place emphasis on the driver, the interior mirrors that of the standard 5-series, but gets a series of bespoke M touches namely a new sports steering wheel, M Heads-Up Display, new gear lever, electric and heated M sport seats trimmed in Merino leather, carbon fibre and aluminium inserts and a digital instrument cluster.
Aside from the usual array of options, the M5 can also be specified with new M multi-function racing style bucket seats claimed to provide better shoulder support, which also feature thicker side bolsters and backrest, along with an illuminated M5 logo on the headrest.
As previously reported, the biggest change is the F90's drivetrain with BMW retaining the 4.4-litre TwinPower turbocharged V8 engine, but with outputs rising to 441 kW and 750 Nm of torque.
Able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h, or 305 km/h with the optional M Driver's Package, the F90 drops the seven-speed M DCT gearbox for a eight-speed torque converter Steptronic, with three modes for optimal efficiency, "quick driving" and maximum sportiness.
The main talking point though is the incorporation of xDrive all-wheel drive for the first time, although with a rear-wheel drive biased setup. Featuring an Active M rear differential, the unique all-wheel drive setup allows for the choosing of three modes, 2WD, 4WD and 4WD Sport, with the former reducing the M5 to pure rear-wheel drive for the "highly adept driver".
Despite this new setup, BMW claims that a certain amount of rear wheel slip is still present when in one of the 4WD modes, with the latter, when in M Dynamic mode, also allowing for controlled drifts.
Expected to arrive in South Africa during the first quarter of 2018, pricing for the M5 in Germany will start at €117 900 (R1 831 936)
M5 First Edition
Limited to just 400 units and finished in a colour called Frozen Dark Red Metallic, the First Edition remains mechanically unchanged from the "normal" M5, but adds high gloss black Shadow Line trim, black exhaust tip and grille, and black light-alloy seven double spoke 20-inch wheels.
Inside, the First Edition comes fitted as standard with the M multi-function seats, but also benefits from piano key black trim, Smoke White leather seats with contrasting red stitching and unique M5 First Edition 1/400 plaque.
In Germany, the M5 First Edition commands an additional €19 500 (R302 991) premium compared to the standard M5, brining the final sticker price to €137 400 (R2 134 928).
