The BMW M5 is a legendary series when it comes to high performance sport sedans, and we are pleased to note that the next BMW M5 will come with all-wheel drive capability. No doubt purists would not be too happy with this move, but it would require an engineering miracle to send all of the expected 600 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 to the back wheels alone. While no official details on the finalised list of power or performance specs have been revealed to date, the least that we know is this: The 2018 BMW M5 is all set to go on sale before 2017 comes to a close.

With the 2018 BMW M5, it will arrive with an all-wheel drive system that is known as M xDrive. Touted to be the "most exciting and emotionally enthralling" M5 to date, it will no doubt be packed with technology that ought to make it the most advanced and complicated M5, too. Fret not about the all-wheel drive system though. In order to ensure that it would drive like an M series vehicle (no doubt the company has the looks department covered), the M xDrive system is intelligent enough to be rear-biased, where it will send power forward whenever the rear begins to lose traction. The main aim of the 2018 BMW M5 is to offer maximum traction without sacrificing on the driving experience, just like what the existing BMW M5 drives like.

The person behind the wheel will have five different drive modes to choose from, allowing one to merge the different kinds of stability control (DSC on, MDM, DSC) and all-wheel drive settings (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD). All-wheel drive settings in the system can even be disabled totally if desired, however what would most probably upset purists is the fact that the 2018 BMW M5 will automatically switch to 4WD mode with DSC turned on each time the engine starts. Subsequent drive modes will pave the way for additional freedom, which would then offer a greater degree of control back to the driver.

Apart from what can be found underneath the hood, the 2018 BMW M5 will also have a redesigned instrument cluster as well as a new screen. BMW has called this new screen the "Control Display." While it is said to be similar to what the existing car has, it will also be different, where a pair of round dials accompanied by red needles will feature a digital speedometer and a rev-counter with adjustable shift lights in the heads-up display. There will also be other M-specific functions shown off in the HUD (Heads Up Display), which will be revealed in due time.

For those who are history buffs and would like to know more about the BMW M5 sport sedan, then you would know that it has been in existence for more than three decades already, having turned 30 not too long ago. The very first version of the BMW M5 was hand-built from ground up in 1986, where it relied on the 535i chassis that came with a modified BMW M1 engine underneath the hood. The E28 M5 (1985 to 1998) carried the distinction of being the fastest production sedan at that point in time.

Since the E28 M5 proved itself to be a roaring success, BMW has not looked back ever since, churning out other versions of the BMW M5 with each subsequent generation of the 5-Series platform. They generally follow a 5 year life cycle, with the E34 M5 (1989 to 1995), E39 M5 (1999 to 2003) and E60 M5 (2005 to 2010) continue in the fine tradition of a sports sedan. However, the model name took a turn with the F10 M5 (2011–2016), making a change in the alphabet -- perhaps kicking off a new generation of naming convention.

Just don't expect the 2018 BMW M5 to be cheap, because that isn't going to be the case.