The New BMW M5's AWD System Still Allows Bimmer Purists To Have Fun

The new (F90) M5, which is set to be launched later this year, is expected to produce nothing short 600 Bhp

Updated: Thursday, May 18, 2017, 19:57 [IST]

The BMW M5 has always been an icon, but it's got to pack enough to keep with other cars in the same segment. Since Mercedes turned the E63 AMG into a turbocharged monster in sedan's attire, and the current M5 just couldn't deliver enough firepower to keep up with the competition.

The BMW M5 Is Returning With A Heck Load Of Power And AWD

Now, BMW has asked all the in-house mad scientists at Munich to take the M5 back to the drawing board to a twin-turbocharged V8 along with the goodness of BMW's xDrive All-Wheel-Drive system.

BMW has always been on the same side with the purists when it comes to using a rear-wheel drive in its performance cars, but to catch up with the competition, the company has now been forced to develop a new version of xDrive system.

In its most powerful avatar, the current gen (F10) M5 produce 550 Bhp at the rear wheels, while the New E63 AMG outdoes the M5's numbers even in its base variant.

The new (F90) M5, which is set to be launched later this year, is expected to produce nothing short 600 Bhp, and sending all that power to the tarmac using street tires will be plainly stupid. This is where the new xDrive comes to action.

What makes the xDrive so wicked is the active M differential on the rear axle and a clever central transfer case. The system is capable of directing 100 percent of the power to either axle as the situation demands, or completely changing itself into rear-wheel drive when the driver demands.

The system has been set up to achieve maximum traction in standard 4WD mode while allowing a bit more 'slip' in 4WD Sports mode. BMW says the system has been tuned for shattering lap records and will make it much easier deliver the torque to the road.