Hail the mighty powerful 5th generation M5, which has finally been revealed. A legendary, uber high-performance version of BMW’s popular 5 Series sedan, the latest M5 offers a new twin-turbocharged V8 engine – instead of the larger V10 in the previous generation M5.

Introduced for the first time back in 1984, the M5 has been the epitome of German engineering and understated speed. It’s been a cult machine among automobile enthusiasts who like the M5 not only for all the power it harnesses, but also for brilliance of its engineering. Keeping this history in mind, the latest generation certainly stays true to its iconic DNA.

Visually, the horizontal lines flow from the front to the rear, and blend into the wide wheel arches. The new M5 doesn’t really look as eccentric and strange as the previous generation, but has been shaped carefully to appeal to a wider audience. The latest M5 doesn’t shout aggression, but still manages to speak of the massive firepower at the driver’s disposal. Larger intakes in the front, coupled with the traditional kidney grille lend a purposeful look, while the 20-inch wheels accentuate the overall stance of the car.

The fenders feature the hallmark M-gills that have a three-dimensional shape highlighted with a chrome frame located within the indicator bar. The rear features an integrated diffuser, which grabs your eye instantly. To add to that, a rear spoiler integrated within the boot lid, along with an L-shaped LED tail lamp cluster, make the tail look even more menacing.

At the heart of the M5 is a high-revving twin-turbocharged V8 unit. The new 4.4 litre engine develops a scarcely believable 560bhp and 680 Nm of torque – impressive numbers by any measure. The total power output is 10 percent higher than the previous model, while the torque has been increased by 30 percent. Meanwhile, the company claims that the fuel consumption and CO2 levels have been further reduced by 30 percent. There’s a seven-speed double-clutch transmission that provides power to the rear wheels, while the M-DCT Drivelogic system has been specially tuned keeping the ‘M’ DNA in mind.

The new M5 certainly makes for an impressive package, whether it’s the figures or just the way it looks. The erstwhile V10 engine will certainly be missed by some fans, but with the twin-turbochargers thrown in, the V8 motor should be as smile-inducing as the V10 it replaces. On the road or out on track, the new M will impress – we think!