The new BMW M5 is the all-conquering beast we all hoped it would be

By Benjamin Zhang - Business Insider

BMW recently unveiled the latest edition of its iconic M5 sports sedan. According to the guys from Munich, it's the quickest and most technologically advanced M5 to date.

That's saying quite a lot since the M5 has been, for the majority of its existence, the meanest and most formidable sports sedan in all the land.

The sixth generation M5 looks to continue that tradition.

Lurking under the hood will be a 4.4 liter, twin-scroll, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces a whopping 600 horsepower. It'll be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW's innovative new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

The M xDrive system sends most of the M5's power to the rear wheels and only sends power to the front when it detects a drop in traction. That's nothing special. What is special is a 2wd-mode that can shut off the all-wheel-drive system and send power only to the rear, allowing the driver some extra sideways fun.

"Thanks to M xDrive, the all-new BMW M5 can be piloted with the familiar blend of sportiness and unerring accuracy both on the racetrack and out on the open road, while also delighting drivers with its significantly enhanced directional stability and controllability right up to the limits of performance when driving in adverse conditions such as on wet roads or snow." BMW M chairman Frank van Meel said in a statement when the car was unveiled on Monday. 

The confluence of all these go-fast goodies is a car capable of hitting 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and 124 mph in just 11.1 seconds. The M5's top speed is artificially limited to 155 mph. However, an optional M Driver's Package will raise that figure to 189 mph.

Styling wise, the M5 takes the new 5-Series sedan's understated aesthetic and sprinkles on an extra layer of muscular aerodynamic enhancements to reflect the car's performance capabilities. These include a redesigned rear diffuser, spoiler, side skirts, and enlarged air intakes for improved cooling. The M5 also takes advantage of aluminum alloys and carbon-reinforced plastic to keep the 4,200-pound sedan's weight in check.

"The BMW M5 has always embodied the perfect blend of mature business sedan and high-performance components," BMW vice president of design, Domagoj Dukec, said in a statement. "So you can think of the BMW M5 as the world’s fastest-moving tailored suit."

Inside, the driver is armed with a slew of tech features including an M-specific head-up display, multiple driving modes, and gesture control.

The 2018 BMW M5 is expected to reach showrooms in the spring of 2018. Official pricing will be announced at a later date.