Review
While purists can't rejoice, the RWD-only offering finally disappeared to usher in a very confident AWD version. The 6th generation F90 finally matured into something that no longer belonged to the usual tire burning satan-chariot stable that the AMG folks still unexpired memberships to.

One can carelessly compare it to the latest Subaru WRX and how the ah beng favourite is now a dashing Getai. Yet in the $400k range car comparison, most of the competition is around half of the horsepower that the M5 offers. 3.4 seconds. That makes it a lot more serious.

With no room for piezoelectric wimpy squirts, the M5's maximum 350 bars of injection pressure blasts fuel-air mixtures for sharper engine responses - thankfully it inadvertently improved fuel atomisation and improved thermal efficiency (the kind of fuel saving speak that every other maker would assure you of).

A variable map controlled oil pump ensures that the engine never starves in the wildest of G forces and charge air cooling keeps the volcanic setup cooled to Basaltic levels. Pair that type of performance potential with a configurable M xDrive and you could decide when to slip and when to be in absolute traction control.

Like Bond is to Aston Martins, this M5's ethics are comparable to the presence of Harvey Spectre.

Perhaps the most memorable feature is the red-painted M1 and M2 secondary-paddle switches.

Imagine having a setup from drive mode, DSC, engine, transmission, damper and steering setup all configured for track mode and then another one that's nipping-at-the-limit highway legal. Being able to change the car's entire personality with the click of buttons is Transformers territory - and few makers even care if anyone would need that.

With figures parked close to the luxury tank segment, a worthy comparison would be the E63 S AMG, which offers a little more comfort and tech such as massage seats for almost a 100 grand more. However the latter's lack of design differentiation makes it more of a sleeper.

If Mercedes-Benz decided to make NERF guns, the E63 AMG is the one that shoots actual bullets. The M5 however is a whole different class altogether - both exterior and internal organs packaged properly that no child can confuse with.

What I like
Absolutely insane yet controlled driveability
M-specific Heads Up Display
Aluminium bonnet and carbon fibre touches
Fantastic seats and colour options
Very strong chassis - no shear felt despite the heft of the vehicle
Excellent tunnel acoustics

What I do not like
Lack of road space to unleash its full potential