Official look: all-new BMW M5

Ramping-up anticipation for its Mercedes-AMG E63 rival, BMW has posted a short video on Facebook which shows the front-end of the all-new high-performance M5 sedan.

The clip, highlighting an all-new bumper with deeper and wider intakes, follows a June release when the turbocharged V8 super sedan was previewed in the latest trailer for the Need for Speed Payback game.

Thanks to motoring.com.au's track test of a 2018 M5 prototype we already know the flagship M car will be the most powerful car BMW has ever made.

https://www.facebook.com/BMW/videos/10155697031642269

Set to be powered by a development of the current 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, the new M5 will develop more than 447kW/700Nm.

The extra oomph comes courtesy of a pair of new turbochargers, high injection pressure and improved cooling and lubrication.

Performance is in another league compared to the outgoing M5, with the new F90 generation model tipped to hit 100km/h in less than 3.5 seconds. Equally impressive is the 10.5L/100km combined cycle fuel consumption.

Driving dynamics are set for an overhaul as BMW M switches the all-new M5 from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive. Engineers claim most of the time the M5 will handle like a rear-wheel drive car, but when too much slip is detected it can channel torque appropriately.

To help appease track day enthusiasts, BMW M has developed a 2WD mode which, with ESP off, allows drivers to drift their M5.

Other big changes include BMW’s decision to quietly drop the old car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the eight-speed automatic already used by the X5 M and X6 M.

The new 'box is claimed to be smooth, more efficient and almost as quick in manual mode.

Weight-saving has been an important part of the F90 M5's improvements. For the first time, the performance sedan gets a carbon-fibre roof, which also helps lower the centre of gravity.

Further use of lightweight materials like carbon-fibre reinforced plastics and aluminium have cut more weight and the next M5 should weigh between 65-100kg less than the current car.

Following its reveal on August 21, the M5 is scheduled to make its official public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, before going on sale in Europe towards the end of the year.

It's not been confirmed when first examples will arrive in Australia. Pricing should be in the region of the AMG E 63 - $250,000.