We’ve been hearing rumors about the upcoming F90-Generation BMW M5 for awhile now. However, there’s now a bit of inside information on the upcoming M5 that should help shed some light on what it will be like.

According to Autocar, Hildegard Wortmann, BMW’s Brand Manager, spoke a bit about the upcoming BMW M5 and how it’s going to shape the M brand as much as the new 7 Series has shaped BMW’s luxury lineup. She also says that it’s pretty damn good to drive.

“You will see in this car where we will take the [M] brand from here,” Wortmann told Autocar. “I’ve driven it on track and it’s really special. The engineers have done an excellent job. It’s outrageous.”

It’s said that this new generation of M5 will pack a reworked version of the brand’s 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8, much like the new BMW M550i does, and should develop around 600 hp. To be honest, BMW doesn’t really have much of a choice in the power department, as ALPINA just launched its B5 Biturbo and that makes 608 hp from a version of the same engine. So BMW needs to push the 600 hp mark, so as to not be outdone by its stablemate.

To get those ponies to the ground, though, the new BMW M5 will actually have an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic gearbox, rather than the DCT unit typically found in M cars. The reason for that is that the DCT (dual-clutch transmission) isn’t set up for all-wheel drive and it likely can’t handle all torque of the mighty V8’s torque, which is said to be around 516 lb-ft.

Which brings us to the next new innovation — all-wheel drive. Put out your torches and drop your pitchforks because complaining about the next M5 having all-wheel drive is like complaining that winter may eventually come and the weather will get cold. It’s inevitable so don’t whine. Plus, it’s reported that in M Dynamic mode, the car will send 100 percent of its power to the rear wheels.

According to BMW insiders, this upcoming M5 will be the most powerful and fastest accelerating BMW M car ever made. Which, to be honest, isn’t that surprising. The new M550i, which isn’t even a proper M car, is faster than the current F10-generation M5 and just as fast as the M4 Competition Package. And the M550i only has 456 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. If the new M5 is going to have 600 hp and all-wheel drive, it should be a flipping rocket.

If the BMW M5 can deliver on its promises, and also look like the car rendered by Autocar, then we’re in for a real treat (for some reason, I heard cousin Eddy from Christmas Vacation when I said that).

[Source: Autocar]