2018 BMW M5 spied testing near Nurburgring

The next-generation M5 has been spotted testing outside BMW’s test centre near the Nurburgring, in Germany. Internally called F90, the new M5 will be the seventh-generation model of the performance oriented sedan, which is expected to be unveiled by late 2017.

The heavy camouflage makes it difficult to identify details about the car, though the traces of BMW’s new design language are faintly visible. The front retains the trademark kidney grille, though the headlamps and bumpers have been redesigned to lend the car a fresh look, while the quad exhaust pipes at the rear hint at the car’s true potential.

For the first time in the car’s history, the next-generation BMW M5 will be offered with an optional xDrive all-wheel-drive system. While the BMW loyalists might not be happy with this decision, the xDrive should be especially beneficial in improving the car’s performance and for customers from cold countries. Also, the xDrive system will send the power to the rear wheels for most of the time, and the front axle will get some only when needed.

BMW will retain the 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine for the new M5, which in its current state of tune produces 600bhp and 750Nm of torque. In its AWD guise, we can easily expect the 0 to 100kmph time to drop below the four second mark.

The new BMW M5 will go on sale in early 2018, a few months after the launch of the standard next-generation 5 Series. It competes with other performance oriented saloons like the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and the Jaguar XFR-S.