While carmakers have finally started paying attention to weight, they’re not yet ready to give up on the horsepower wars, with the base version of BMW’s next M5 believed to go past the 600hp mark.
BMW will achieve this output through a fettled version of the current M5’s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that is rated at 552hp (560PS) in regular trim reaching 592hp (600PS) on both the M5 “30 Jahre” limited edition and M6 Competition Package.
This means that if BMW presents a similar competition package or special edition of the next M5, it should easily have more than 650 ponies.
As if those numbers were not impressive by themselves, the new G30-codenamed 5-Series, upon which the M5 is based, will benefit from the same lightweight measures as the new 7-Series employing aluminum in the chassis and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic in the body to shed some 100 kg or 220 pounds over the current model.
Up until this generation of the Bavarian super saloon, all M5s were rear-wheel drive, but BMW has been talking about adding an all-wheel drive (xDrive) option with a rear-biased setup on the next M5 , which may irritate purists, but take into consideration the increase in power, and the idea starts making sense.
It’s still unclear if BMW will also offer a manual gearbox, or if the new M5 will be available exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission when it goes on sale in late 2017 or early 2018.
The tester seen here is an early development model with some non-production panels and parts, including the front end, but it does have four tailpipes and huge brake discs and wheels. The production car will get a model-specific bodykit, wheels and interior modifications to separate it from the lesser 5s in the range.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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