At the top of the BMW 5-series range sits the supercar-troubling 560hp 4.4-litre V8 M5. Capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds, it’s a significant halo product that helps create a reputation for the M-branded cars that sell M-sport trim levels further down the line-up.
The M5 has myriad settings to control the sportiness of the auto seven-speed transmission, throttle response, suspension and steering, but it’s still not the most straightforward to drive smoothly at low speed. Apart from that, it’s more civilised than the previous M5, and BMW claims 30% more power despite a 10% efficiency improvement.
The performance is phenomenal, and it handles like a significantly smaller and more nimble car, hiding its bulk and weight better than almost any car this size. However, it’s hideously expensive to run, at an official 28.5mpg and 232g/km, although almost unparalleled in its rewarding and practical nature for that massive outlay.
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