With the first reviews of the brand new Mercedes-AMG E63 coming thick and fast and dubbing the model the best in its class, BMW has a lot of work to do to ensure the G30-generation M5 is just as good. It believes it will be.
According to BMW vice president of sales and marketing for BMW’s M division, Peter Quintus, the German company is prioritizing straight-line acceleration and handling dynamics for the new super sedan.
Speaking with Motoring, Quintus strongly hinted at what we already know, the new M5 will be all-wheel drive, just like the E63. Additionally, like its German rival, it will be heavily rear-biased.
“I cannot confirm that we will go all-wheel drive for the new M5, but in case we do go all-wheel drive, as a company that has a long history of rear-wheel drive [models], it would be very rear-wheel drive biased with different driving modes,” he said,
Quintus also confirmed that the next M5 will have enough power to match the E63 S’s 604 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.
“A 600-horsepower car with only rear-wheel drive and ESP off is very difficult to handle – even if you are experienced. So maybe there are some ideas about how we can make a better handling car,” he said, again hinting at all-wheel drive, possibly allowing it to hit 60 mph in around 3.3 seconds like the E63 S.
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