To celebrate 30 years of the BMW M5 – the founder member of the high-performance business Saloon segment – BMW has created an exclusive, special-edition of the current, fifth-generation model boasting performance that sets it apart from its stablemates. The BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition (30 years of the M5) will be produced in a limited run of just 300 vehicles worldwide. Only 30 cars will come to the UK.

Developing 600hp and peak torque of 700Nm, this special-ed ition (combined fuel consumption 28.5mpg; CO2 emissions: 231g/km) is not only the most powerful BMW M5 ever to emerge from series production under the auspices of BMW M GmbH, but also the most powerful production car in the history of the brand. The M5 30 Jahre Edition sprints from zero to 62mph in a lightning fast 3.9 seconds. Its BMW Individual-inspired looks and dynamic and comfort-enhancing equipment make this special edition M5 set to be a highly desirable collector’s item.

Further increased performance.
Under the bonnet of the BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition is a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an output of 600hp, 40hp more than the standard model. This power boost has been achieved through carefully calculated tweaks to the engine management and an increase in charge pressure.

The foundation for these upgrades was provided by the Competition package – itself a car that already came with a power upgrade. Conceived to appreciably enrich the handling characteristics of the BMW M5, it can be ordered as an option for the regular model and is part of the special edition’s standard specification. The Competition package comprises modifications including a revised chassis set-up with firmer spring/damper tuning and a 10mm drop in ride height. Added to which, the Active M Differential on the final drive gains its own control unit to further improve traction. Elsewhere, the steering with M-specific Servotronic function has more direct mapping and the M Dynamic Mode of the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system is focused even more keenly on delivering sporty handling.

Exclusive design exudes dynamic performance.
In keeping with the anniversary celebrations which have inspired its creation, the special-edition model has been given the BMW Individual treatment. As a result, it cuts a more dynamic, head-turning figure than its standard siblings. The striking BMW Individual Frozen Dark Silver metallic paint accentuates the elegantly muscular forms of the BMW M5. The kidney grille surround, gills with ‘30 Jahre M5’ badge on the front wing, door handle inserts and twin exhaust tailpipes all come in black chrome. The same is true of the 20-inch bi-colour M light-alloy wheels.

The interior of the BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition includes exclusive touches to highlight the anniversary. The driver and front passenger will be greeted by ‘30 Jahre M5’ lettering on the front door sill finishers, while a plaque bearing ‘30 Jahre M5’ and ‘1/300’ inscription is integrated into the Dark Aluminium Trace interior trim. The ‘30 Jahre M5’ logo is also embroidered into the backrests of all four of the high-performance Saloon’s seats.

Both the driver and front passenger in the M5 30 Jahre Editon can settle into M Sport multifunction seats upholstered in Individual Black Alcantara and Full Merino leather. Alcantara Anthracite trims the centre console and door panels as well as the M Sport multifunction steering wheel. A harman/kardon surround-sound system with a total of 16 speakers is also included as standard and a 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen Advanced audio system is available as an option. In addition to the exclusive content this car it also features as standard such equipment as Adaptive LED Headlights, Comfort Access with smart opener, Driving Assistant, lumbar support and split folding rear seats with additional 12 volt power sockets.

The M5 30 Jahre Edition represents a new high point in 30 years of success that began at BMW Motorsport GmbH in Munich in 1984, and continues to raise the pulses of car fans around the world today. It is on sale now and costs £91,890 OTR.

t's been awhile since we've heard about the 2016 BMW 5-Series but new details are starting to emerge about the upcoming model.

According to Autobild, the 5-Series will feature semi-autonomous driving technology and a significantly improved interior as the company wants to set "new standards in terms of surface quality and material appearance." The publication also says we can expect a revised iDrive controller and improved voice commands.

Engine options remain unconfirmed but could include:

- A plug-in hybrid variant with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor
- A 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine with 354 PS (260 kW) and 500 Nm (368 lb-ft) of torque
- A 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel with 347 PS (255 kW) and 660 Nm (486 lb-ft) of torque
- A quad-turbocharged M 550xd with 408 PS (300 kW) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque
- A new M5 with 626 PS (460 kW) and an optional all-wheel drive system

It is on sale now and costs £91,890 OTR.

For years, hybrid technology has been marketed purely as a means of improving vehicle efficiency, but now that the technology has matured we’re starting to see automakers investigate ways of using the addition of an electric motor(s) to boost performance as well. The turning point was 2013’s launch of hybrid hypercars from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche, and now more mainstream makes are jumping on the performance hybrid bandwagon.

One of these is BMW, which recently presented its new Power eDrive hybrid drivetrain which boasts outputs in excess of 670 horsepower. The Power eDrive drivetrain is a plug-in hybrid setup, similar to the one BMW will be using in new plug-in hybrid versions of its regular models starting next year, but Power eDrive is different in that it relies on high-power electric motors and next-generation high-density batteries.

The Power eDrive system being previewed in the 5-Series Gran Turismo is a modular setup that can fit a variety of bodystyles. It combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined output in excess of 670 hp. One of the electric motors is integrated with the transmission to help the engine power the rear wheels and the other is used to power the front wheels. BMW is also working on a next-gen design where an electric motor powers the rear wheels exclusively while an electric motor and engine powers the front wheels, creating a ‘through-the-road’ hybrid all-wheel-drive setup.

On the 5-Series GT Power eDrive prototype, the electric motors contribute approximately two thirds of the vehicle's output, with the engine accounting for the remaining third. Powering the electric motors is a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, which can be charged at home or on the run using recovered brake energy or the engine. The key to boosting the efficiency of the vehicle will be relying on electric power as much as possible. The all-electric range for a vehicle the size of the 5-Series GT, meanwhile, is said to be about 62 miles.

The benefits of Power eDrive are zero local emissions in everyday use, superior long-distance comfort, and instant accelerating power. That last benefit is due to the high-power electric motors, which provide full torque at zero rpm. They also help fill the torque curve of the engine, providing linear acceleration.

Looking further out, as emissions regulations become even stricter, BMW says the role of the internal combustion engine will become a supporting one. For example the engine will only be used under high-load situations or to increase the overall driving range by acting as a range-extender that simply charges the battery. Eventually, as battery technology improves (or as hydrogen infrastructure develops), the engine will be phased out altogether, though this will likely take decades.

A new generation of the BMW 5-Series is just around the corner, and with it will come a new M5 sledgehammer. We now have spy shots of a prototype for the new M5, which was spotted while undergoing testing on the Nürburgring and on some of the German race track’s surrounding roads. It’s clear that this is the M5 version of the new, seventh-generation 5-series because of its massive wheels and tires as well as the signature quad-exhaust tailpipe arrangement.

Our photographer confirms that the engine fitted to the car is a V-8, likely to be an updated version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 used in the current M5. This engine produces as much as 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the M5 30 Jahre Edition, built last year to celebrate the nameplate’s 30th anniversary, and we expect only slightly higher figures in the new M5.

Instead of upping power significantly, the engineers are likely to be more focused on reducing weight. Thanks to the adoption of the modular 35up platform that debuted in the 2016 7-Series, the new 5-Series should weigh around 220 lbs less than the current model, and similar weight savings should also benefit the new M5. The current model’s curb weight has bloated to as much as 4,123 lbs. Higher strength steels and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic are used in the 35up platform to help shed the weight.

Beyond the new platform, another dramatic change for this generation of the M5, the F90 to all the hardcore fans, will be xDrive all-wheel drive, most likely as an option. The information was confirmed earlier this year by M boss Frank van Meel, a former Audi quattro employee. He explained that the all-wheel-drive system to be employed will normally send torque to the rear wheels, only sending some forward when slip is detected. The standard transmission is likely to be a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. It’s not certain yet if a conventional manual will still be offered.

As for the design, a look inspired by the latest 7-Series is a given. From the spy shots, we can see a very wide and low front bumper flanked by pumped fenders. We can also see part of the lower intake and the hexagonal mesh pattern the engineers have selected. At the rear, a small diffuser has been integrated with the bumper unit. Inside the massive wheels are equally massive perforated brake discs.

While the new 5-Series is expected next year, we’re not expecting this M5 version until sometime in calendar year 2017, meaning it will likely arrive as a 2018 model. However, in BMW M tradition, we may still see a thinly-veiled concept version prior to the launch of the production model. Direct rivals include the Audi RS 6, Cadillac CTS-V and Mercedes-AMG E63.