M5 to storm ahead with 500bhp

BMW's new M5 is set to pack an enormous 507bhp when it comes to market next April. The fourth generation of a car that has become an icon of supercar saloons, the new M5 will be powered by a 5-litre V10 engine with an amazing 8,250 rpm red line, delivering its 507 bhp at 7,750rpm.

Altogether, this represents a 107 bhp increase over the third-generation M5's 4.9-litre V8 engine.In terms of torque, it offers 520 Nm at 6,100 rpm - some 450 of which can be tapped from 3,500 rpm.

The new car also features a fabulously titled "Power button". At start-up, the driver is given access to 400 bhp in a default programme dubbed P400. Depressing the button unleashes the engine's full 507 bhp, along with a more responsive throttle action, referred to as P500.

In this configuration, the new M5 is claimed to reach 60 mph from standstill in just 4.7 seconds, hitting a limited 155 mph in 14.9 seconds. With its speed-limiting chip removed, BMW says its super-saloon will reportedly get to 205 mph at the 8,250 rpm red line, though company policy prohibits official modification, even at dealer level.

The next generation M5 will also feature the Munich firm's latest sequential manual gearbox, now featuring seven forward gears and new electronics that are claimed to quicken the shift times by up to 20 per cent over the previous sequential box that currently features in the M3. It will be controlled by shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

With a weight of 1,755 kg, the E60 5-series-based saloon also boasts an impressive 289 bhp per tonne - up 56 bhp per tonne on the car it replaces, and well ahead of the Mercedes CLS55 AMG against which it will inevitably be compared.

It's too early to confirm prices as yet, but in Britain it's expected to carry a price tag of about €60,000. Don't expect much change from €110,000, given that the previous model cost just under that.

However, given its glorious reputation to date, don't expect the price tag to turn away any true car fans with the right cash.