Back in 2005, BMW shocked fans with the E60 M5 — a super-saloon powered by a screaming 5.0-litre V10 engine. The S85B50 unit produced 500 horsepower, revved to 8,250 rpm, and weighed 240kg. It was inspired by BMW’s Formula 1 projects of the early 2000s.
At launch, the car divided opinion. Critics found the new iDrive system frustrating, the seven-speed gearbox clunky, and the lack of low-end torque impractical for daily use. Still, the M5 could hit 0–62mph in just 3.4 seconds and became one of the fastest sedans of its era.
Despite being dropped after one generation, the...