So the new M5 will have 600hp, variable 4WD system (switchable between full-on 4WD, active 4WD, or just 2WD to allow drifting and general hooning), and is claimed to have a 0-60 time of around 3.4 seconds (which with launch control and the 4WD system I can well believe).

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/5-series/92052/2018-bmw-m5-full-specs-prices-and-pics

I had a call from my local BMW dealer yesterday asking whether I wanted an invitation to their launch event in February. Obviously I've said yes, but by the time you've added a few sensible options it'll be a £100k car, and despite the impressive stats, I just think whatever offers/deals they throw at it would really have to be something special to make me not place an order for a Nissan GTR instead.

Still, here's an entertaining (though almost pointless) additional read: https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/supercars-slower-2018-bmw-m5/

Someone really should explain what 4WD means to the people who wrote that article... A fair few of those cars would show it a clean pair of heels...

Quoting 600bhp for the new model is interesting given that it's widely accepted that he outgoing one makes that on a dyno... This is getting silly now!!

BMW (amongst others) are well known for under-reporting their power figures. I read somewhere that the M4 consistently makes around 500hp on a dyno ('officially' the competition package version is 450hp, or 444bhp). Who knows what the newest M5 will actually make when it's put on a rolling road.

Either way you're right, it is getting a bit daft (albeit entertaining). I put it down to the Germans willy-waving with pub-talk top trumps.

Current horsepower wars are starting to remind me of the current football transfer market

I've seen claims that the M3/M4 regualrly makes 490bhp+ too. CarandDriver have conducted their instrumented tests on no fewer than 8 different M3s and M4s, competition package or not and found no discernable difference between them. Aside from he manual versions, the fastest was a "425bhp" model, the slowest a "444bhp" model... Personally, I don't believe there's any difference in the engines... I've run them all through my calculator at the same time and there's mere metres in it up until 160mph where the data stops.



The willy-waving is now at a different level though
"Our car is so powerful, we we can under-quote the figure and it's still higher than yours! "

I wonder how fast you'd have to drive it to get a sensation of speed?
The only way to enjoy it legally would be to fit it with pram wheels and drive it in the rain

Having driven a couple of 'normal' M4s before I bought mine I certainly couldn't tell any difference in terms of power. They're probably a case of "at least 425bhp (or 444)" and then it's a matter of just how high it actually is when you put it on the dyno. The biggest thing the comp pack brought to the party was the significant revisions to the suspension and MDM setup, which it makes it possible to actually put some the power down occasionally