Official: new BMW M5

BMW has finally revealed the production version of its most famous super-saloon. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Internet, meet the new M5.

Virtually unchanged from the Concept M5 revealed back in April and honed (of course) on the Nurburgring, the new BMW M5 loses the high-revving V10 for a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing 555bhp and a colossal 506lb ft of torque. BMW reckons it is ‘lag-free' and gives a ‘trademark M car thrust'.

See more pics of the new BMW M5

BMW has installed a seven-speed double clutch auto box to handle those many torques and horses, together with three modes. S1 gives light, gentle shifts, S2 makes it harder and ‘jolts at higher revs', while S3 is the bingo-button which allows launch control to catapult the M5 - via a multi-plate limited slip M differential - from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and 0-124mph in 13 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph, or 190mph with the ‘M Driver's Package'. That's a fast package.

It comes with damper control, stability control, six-piston brake callipers and an ‘M dynamic mode', while two individual setups for the car can be programmed and called up using the M Drive buttons.

You'll notice the 19in M light-alloy wheels, the rear-spoiler, a rear apron with diffusers, flared wheel arches, a massive mouth, intakes for the engine and brakes and, of course, the trademark pair of twin exhaust tailpipes. This is not to be confused with your accountant's 530d M Sport saloon, no siree.

BMW reckons the new M5 will return 28.5mpg and emit just 232g/km of CO2, while inside, the M5 is replete with sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, M-specific instrument cluster and the full options range from the 5 Series saloon, including a 10.2-in screen with iDrive control display. There's also a head-up display.

The price? £73,000.

We'll have to wait until we drive this near two-tonne Beemer in relative anger to decide whether it's as good as its predecessors - and indeed the current crop of super-saloons snapping at its laden heels. But what's your initial verdict, TopGear.commers?