BMW M5 F10 review (2012-2016) - the ultimate super saloon - Engine and gearbox

The M5’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 may lack the ferocity and soundtrack of the previous model’s engine, but it counters with more power and masses more torque than the old normally-aspirated V10. This new unit is a technological tour-de-force, too, with its pair of turbochargers mounted within the ‘vee’ of the cylinder banks for immediate throttle response. 

Those who make the decision to opt for the Competition Package will see those figures raised by 15bhp, or alternatively, if you can somehow get hold of one of the only 300 ever made, the 30 Jahre edition M5 boasts 592bhp and 516 lb ft.

>Read our Mercedes E63 AMG review

Every version of the M5 uses a seven-speed twin-clutch M DCT transmission. It shifts quickly and clean when left in manual and behaves without any issues whatsoever if the car is left in automatic. The UK goes without a manual option for the car, although the US does have the ability to spec a manual 'box.

The gearbox can be adjusted across a varying range of speed and ferocity, depending on what sort of driving you intend to be doing. The spectrum between soft and smooth and fast and sharp is particularly impressive, as is usually the case with the current generation of BMW M products.