THE best car in the world should be able to do everything brilliantly. I know, that seems like an obvious statement to make, and does such a car even exist? DAVID YOUNG takes a look at the new BMW M5…

Can a car be spacious, comfortable, and refined, while simultaneously handling like a thoroughbred with enough power to leave a supercar trembling in its wake?

It can when it’s the brand-new BMW M5.

With 40 years of history under its belt, the legendary high-performance saloon from BMW’s M division is entering its seventh generation. And in a nod to the future, the new M5 now features an electrified drive system for the very first time.

In terms of styling the new M5 looks very much like a regular 5-Series so you can expect it to be somewhat understated.

There are some M5-shaped tweaks in the wider arches, side skirt extensions, new front apron, and two pairs of black chrome twin tailpipes at the end of the sports exhaust.

A few other model-specific touches finish the look, including an embossed ‘M5’ logo on the Hofmeister kink – that’s the bit where the window on the rear doors curves back on itself. It also sits on slightly bigger wheels, with 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) alloys fitted as standard.

Where the M5 differs from a regular 5-Series most dramatically is the vast reserve of power it offers.

Under normal circumstances, when you’re just cruising around town the new M5 will make the most of the hybrid system and stick to using electricity to make it go.

In electric-only mode there’s enough power in the battery to cover around 40 miles. For regular commuting distances that should be enough to get you to work and back without needing to dip into the contents of the fuel tank.

And don’t worry about performance because the electric motor is capable of hitting 87mph all by itself.

Over longer distances, or should you unexpectedly find yourself on a race track, it’s an entirely different story.

The new M Hybrid drivetrain combines the electric motor with a high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine, sending the power to all four corners via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

The combination of Hybrid drive and V8 engine means the new BMW M5 produces a colossal 727bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.

In more understandable terms, 60mph takes just 3.5 seconds and it will continue to hurtle towards the horizon until the limiter kicks in at the usual 155mph. Unless you’ve ticked the box for the optional M Driver’s package, in which case the limiter won’t interfere until you hit 189mph. BMW has worded that bit very carefully, which makes you wonder exactly how fast it would go if the limiter were switched off completely.

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To cope with the phenomenal amount of power the new M5 can generate there are also a few other upgrades hidden beneath the surface.

The chassis has been strengthened, the adaptive suspension has been specifically tuned to cope with the demands of the M5, the steering has been fettled to provide maximum feedback to the driver, and it also includes active rear-wheel steering for even better cornering ability. Both the standard brakes, as well as the optional carbon ceramic brakes have been beefed up too.

The new BMW M5 also offers a significantly wider selection of standard and optional systems for automated driving and parking compared to its predecessor.

There is a whole suite of safety systems fitted as standard, plus a few more available as part of the options packages. The new BMW M5 is even equipped as standard with Parking Assistant Professional, which enables automated parking and manoeuvring over distances of up to 200 metres, controllable either from inside the car or remotely via smartphone.

The control panel on the centre console houses a model-specific series of buttons, allowing you to adjust everything from the suspension, drive system, steering, and brake energy recuperation, as well as accessing the various driving modes which include a “Track” mode that unleashes the full potential of the beast hiding beneath the bonnet.

In addition to the M-specific control panel on the centre console, the cockpit in the new BMW M5 features a new, flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel with illuminated M buttons, multifunction electrically-adjusted seats, and the BMW Curved Display with navigation function. An upgraded version of BMW iDrive also features as standard in the new BMW M5 so you can access the climate functions, heated seats, and steering wheel heating via the touchscreen or by voice command.

Other standard features complete the refined and luxurious feel of the new BMW M5. The trim is finished in Merino leather, it’s got four-zone air conditioning, the heated front seats we’ve already mentioned, model-specific ambient lighting, panoramic glass sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, wireless charging tray, and automatic tailgate operation.

Order books are already open for the new BMW M5, although you will have to wait until November for UK deliveries to begin. Coincidentally, that just happens to be when the new M5 Touring is set to launch too, in case you want to add an extra dose of practicality to the already long list of things a BMW M5 is brilliant at.

And now you’ve never wanted anything more than you want the new BMW M5, I should probably mention the only downside – prices start from a whopping £110,500, so you’d better start saving.