The next iteration of BMW’s super saloon will represent a major turning point, as the new M5 is reportedly going to power all of its wheels instead just the rear axle, though it’s believed that a RWD version will still be on offer.
Rumors of BMW M’s decision to give the next M5 an all-wheel drive system have been around for quite some time, but now it’s the first time we get to hear it from a BMW official.
BMW M boss Frank van Meel, who previously worked at Audi, told Auto Express that “the M5 has to drive like an M5 does today, but with better traction as well.” Blame the never-ending power war within the segment but in order for the new M5 to get more than 600hp safely on the road, an all-wheel drive system was deemed necessary.
But this doesn’t mean that the all-wheel drive BMW M5 will be less of an exciting car. “We don’t want to ruin the balance. An M car must have agility, precision, and dynamics”, said van Meel. “These are cars designed for the track.”
The BMW M boss has said in the past that despite opting for an all-wheel drive system, the new M5 will always behave like a rear-wheel drive car. That means that they will probably go for a trick rear-biased system that can shift torque to the front when necessary.
Van Meel has previously spoken about the new M5’s all-wheel drive system, saying “It wouldn’t be branded as xDrive. We have to be sensitive about equity built up with rear-wheel drive.”
Let’s not forget that one of its biggest rivals, the new Mercedes-AMG E63 is also getting an AWD system and according to the latest reports, it will have a dedicated drift mode, during which the car will send all of its power to the rear axle alone.
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