Watch the BMW M5 hit Laguna Seca

Good news! The twin turbochargers on the new BMW M5 were designed with a high level of compressor and turbine efficiency and were developed to work with the 4.4-litre V8's unique cross-bank exhaust manifold.

More good news! This manifold optimises gas flow en route to aforementioned ‘chargers and features identical pipe lengths and a combustion chamber arrangement mirroring the firing sequence to ensure the gas flows through the ducts at an even rhythm.

Gallery: See pics of the new 555bhp V8 BMW M5

In fact, says BMW, the cross-bank exhaust manifold and twin turbo technology "play a key role in delivering a multilayered collage of sound": the exhaust pipe runs straight down the chassis with a large cross section, feeding out into the customary twin tailpipes.

Why the engineering lesson? Because BMW North America has just posted a video of the new M5 hot-tailing around the famous Laguna Seca circuit. In the video, you will hear a glimpse - a howl, a brief clamour, a momentary rasp, if you will - of the V8.

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And for that reason alone, it is worth watching. Yes, it's only a glimpse, but we haven't heard the new Five fully exercise its vocal chords...