Live in the moment

What if the latest, F90 M5 is the last example of the breed to be powered by internalcombustion alone? We know that the M-division will be experimenting with electrification.

And while the recipe of the M3 (and M4) has remained more or less unchanged over its lifetime, we have seen that BMW has never been afraid to alter things substantially with each interpretation of the M5.

While the new car employs a revised version of the engine from the predecessor, it incorporates four-wheel drive for the first time, plus an eight-speed, torque-converter automatic. No dual-clutch dexterity here. You may rejoice in the fact that the car can be driven in rear-wheel drive mode.

One is advised to exploit that setting in a controlled environment. But they really have done a stellar job in the ride quality, plushness and refinement departments. Really, this thing rivals a 7-Series for comfort, in its most docile setting.

Unlike the F10, it feels far more composed and better resolved both in the disciplines of being a performance car — and serving as an agreeable daily chariot. Which, we suppose, is what the ideal M5 is meant to do.

Driving away from the track in convoy after an insightful day of work, it occurred to me, however, that for the price of one F90 (upwards of R1.8-million) you could probably pick up an example of each of its legendary predecessors. And have spare change for an extra E39. LS

See more of our M5 outing on IGNITION GT, DStv channel 189 next Sunday, August 5 at 4.30pm.