BMW unveils 552bhp M5 saloon

These are the first official pictures of BMW’s new M5 sport-saloon.

Like all M5’s the styling is subtle, but aggressive in its details, most notably the lower air intakes, three gaping ducts to flow cooling air into the radiator, oil cooler and turbochargers. Nineteen inch alloy wheels are standard.

BMW had revealed at the Shanghai Motor show that the new M5 will feature a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 motor. Now we have the confirmed engine output and performance: 552bhp and 69.40kgm of torque; 0-100kph will take in 4.4secs, 0-200kph in 13secs;

M5s will be available with two top speeds – 250kph limited on the standard car or 305kph limited with an optional M Driver’s Package.

Peak power is 10 per cent up and torque 30 per cent up on the outgoing V10-powered E60 M5 and fuel economy 30 per cent better.

The transmission is a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifts driving through a new Active M differential with electronically-controlled multi-plate limited slip diff.

Depending on the driving situation the diff can lock between 0 and 100 per cent, says BMW.

An M-specific chassis set-up includes M-tuned Servotronic steering, cockpit-adjustable dynamic damping and stability control with an m Dynamic setting.

Steering wheel buttons that can be programmed with chassis, engine and diff settings can now memorise two individual set-ups — the outgoing M5 could store a single setting on the M Drive button.

The new BMW M5 is expected to go on sale in global markets in November this year.