AWD With 2WD 'Mode' In 2018 BMW M5 xDrive

There is good news and bad news; the good news is that BMW has partially revealed the next generation M5, the bad news is that it will have an AWD system as standard.  

When launched, the sixth-generation M5 will become the first M sedan/coupe in the BMW range to be offered with AWD as standard. While enthusiasts may rue this development, it is a necessary 'evil'. 

The current-gen M5 is powered by a 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol motor developing 560PS of maximum power and 680Nm of peak torque - and it needs a lot of electronic assistance systems to help deliver the power without compromising performance or safety.

The 2018 BMW M5 xDrive will also be powered by a 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol motor but power and torque figures are expected to be significantly higher; BMW has not revealed any performance figures for now but it claims it will leave the current model in the dust. The current M5 has a 0-100kmph time of 4.4 seconds and goes on to hit a top speed of 305kmph.

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The higher power/torque developed by the new M5 would not be easily transferred to the ground if it were rear-wheel drive car. Moreover, the sheer amount of electronics, aerodynamic aids etc. to assist that kind of power would make the car too expensive. Additionally, a very powerful rear-wheel-drive sedan is also not the best car to be driven daily when the weather becomes less than ideal. The best solution to the problem? An All-Whee-Drive system.

BMW knows the expectations of customers and fans - it has to justify the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' tag. BMW claims that even though the new M5 will be lugging an AWD system around, it has been designed to be rear-wheel biased. The extent of this bias depends on the driving mode chosen. The new M5 will also feature an RWD-only mode for the more hardcore amongst us. The AWD system and stability control systems will turn on every time the car is switched back on.

Will it drift?

Yes.