BMW M5 2017: New super saloon goes all-wheel drive

BMW's has revealed its new 5-Series-based M5 saloon, but its is keeping the car under heavy camouflage until its public reveal later this year.

While only the lights and signature kidney grilles have been shown, the German car giant did announce that the new M5 will be the first of its performance cars to be fitted with its M xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Historically, BMW vehicles have been rear-wheel drive, although some recent cars - such as the 2-Series Grand Tourer - have been equipped with front-wheel drive platforms.

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The move to the M xDrive system is a reaction "to market demand", says AutoExpress, although drivers can switch all of the power to the rear axle through a menu option in a similar fashion to the Mercedes-AMG E63.

Under the bonnet sits the 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 engine from the existing M5, but BMW has tweaked the turbos, fuel injectors and cooling systems.

Performance figures have yet to be officially confirmed, but sources told the mag the hardcore saloon may have 610bhp and 520lb-ft of torque.

It also gets a new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with "improved shift times", says Top Gear. This should beat the old car's zero to 62mph time of 4.3secs, but its top speed will still be limited to 155mph.

Trialling a prototype, Autocar says the new super-saloon has "better steering feedback than the last M5 had from the outset and great stability".

Despite its all-wheel drive system, which often adds weight over a rear-driven platform, the M5 can be "finely balanced" when pushed through corners on a racing circuit, it adds.

AutoExpress says the M5 won't make its public appearance until the Frankfurt motor show, which runs from 14 to 27 September.