With the imminent launch of the new BMW G30 5 Series so close, Bavarian engineers are also working on the M version of the upcoming mid-size sedan. Known to the rest of the world under a legendary name, not the ‘F90’ code used internally, the 2018 BMW M5 will be unveiled in the metal some months after the new 5 Series. The biggest issue that is causing certain fans sleepless nights is whether the new model will come out with all-wheel drive or not.
The answer to that question came a long time ago, when the management board decided to bring Frank van Meel at the helm of the M division, a man known for his involvement of the Quattro all-wheel drive system used on modern Audi RS models. Therefore, some would say that you should abandon all hope and just start getting used to the idea.
The car filmed in the spy video below also seems to be sporting all-wheel drive, even though we can’t really be sure about it, no matter what appearances are suggesting. The truth of the matter is, one of our most reliable sources inside Munich recently told us that the future M5 will be available only as an all-wheel drive model, simply shattering our hopes that the AWD system will be sold as an optional feature.
That means all future M5 models will send at least some part of the power to the front wheels. However, not all hope is lost. Van Meel was brought in to make sure the system will perform on par with peoples’ expectations from an M5. Furthermore, in various interviews, the German said that this will be a special all-wheel drive system that will only help with traction in various situations, staying out of the driver’s way most of the time, when the power is being sent to the rear wheels exclusively.
To emphasize this RWD-biased character, the future M models fitted with this new transmission won’t be wearing the xDrive badge. Instead, the marketing department is working on a new name that would make it absolutely clear that this is a brand new feature that also works differently.
The engine under the hood is expected to be the same S63 4.4-liter twin-turbo unit with some small upgrades done to it, taking the power output up to around 600 HP. Chip in the fact that the car is going to drop some 200 lbs compared to its predecessor and the 2018 BMW M5 is shaping up to be an even faster uber-sedan.
