BMW has published a new video up on their Facebook page that teases the all-new M5 in a couple of very tightly edited shots, setting in motion a drumroll that they’re hoping will build in intensity to its official unveil on the 21st of this month.
It’s now certain that new M5, based on the G30 5 Series, will use an evolution of the previous F10-generation’s 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8, speculated to produce somewhere around 447kW or more and mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic from ZF instead of the M-DCT dual-clutch used before.
Despite the various engine types that have powered M5s of yore: inline-6s, atmospheric V8s, and V10 screamers, power has always been sent exclusively rearward. In fact, that has been the case for every M car. The all-new M5, though, ditches this norm and adopts BMW’s xDrive system for all-wheel traction.
So, there’s a new M5. Big whoop, right? Well, kind of, as in the opera ensemble of the M Division, it’s the tenor to the M3’s alto, an inescapable V8 presence (in this case) that the shriek of the straight-six cannot drown out.
That is, of course, assuming that the next M3 is powered by a similar engine and drivetrain layout to the current F80: a twin-turbocharged sixer with, indeed, rear wheel drive. Will that change? Sure, eventually. Soon? Likely not.
We have already seen what an all-wheel drive and a 4.4-litre ‘sports’ 5 Series would look like for this generation thanks to the previously launched M550i. And through the brief glimpses at the new M5’s body, we’re not seeing any dramatic visual changes.
It will, of course, look more aggressive and generally more like an M car (instead of a sub-M model), but much like how the G30 5 Series quite closely resembles the F10 before it, we wouldn’t be surprised if this new M5 will end up looking a little familiar too.
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