Motoring Editor Malcolm Baylis gets hehind the wheel of the new BMW M5... and takes it (almost) to the limit

M FOR magic. M for magnetic. M for magnificent. And M for M5, the latest to join the fantastic BMW M range.

Everything about the new, stunning £61,760 BMW M5 is mind-boggling.

Loyal M5 drivers have had to wait almost two years for the fourth generation, and they certainly will not be disappointed. It is the first volume production saloon to offer a high revving V10 engine and a seven-speed sequential gearbox allied to a chassis delivering incredible responses and handling.

It is an amazingly fast road car, capable of 205mph but is restricted to 155mph.

Not to be denied such an exhilarating drive, UK motoring journalists were whisked off to Pau, a small town not too far from the French Pyrenees, which not only boasts its own race circuit through the town, but is also about half-an-hour away from another, challenging racing circuit, known as Pau Arnos.

However, it has to be said that it was while driving the superb and virtually traffic-free roads surrounding Pau that highlighted the car's road poise, especially on the twists and turns of the roads criss-crossing the strongly agricultural region; then there were the smooth auto route sections, which more than satisfied the adrenaline-rush as the car reach its restricted maximum.

The chance to drive the car under race-circuit conditions came later. The technically-demanding Pau-Arnos circuit was pure educational circuit-driving (with instruction from an ex-F1 driver), as for almost three miles the circuit dips and plunges through the property of the French farmer who built it to satisfy his love of motor racing. In a nutshell it's a tricky track, providing lots of tyre-squeal and engine roar as the 507bhp and colossal 384lb/ft of torque shows its true bite.

Overall, the technology of the M5 is jaw-dropping. The five-litre V10 engine weighs 528lb, the same as the old M5's smaller V8 unit, but has 25 per cent more power and shares its V10 configuration with the BMW F1 engine on the BMW Williams F1 car.

Amazingly, it is capable of looking after itself using complex computing power. Four pumps ensure oil flow is maintained to every working part and in extreme g-force situations two of the pumps force oil back into the sump. Sensors constantly monitor the quality of the lubricant, while (mind-blowing stuff, this) overall ignition processing is handled by a system capable of carrying out two million calculations every second!

The automatically changed seven-speed sequential manual gearbox works 20 per cent faster than on the M3 and has been specially developed for the M5. You can opt to have the sequential doing all the work for you, or opt for the steering wheel-mounted paddles or the short-shift transmission lever.

My tip of the day to any prospective buyer is to choose the lever: because on each change the throttle is blipped and the feedback from the four-pipe exhaust snarl is fantastic.

A full-throttle take-off can be achieved by a backwards tug on the sequential lever which will change up automatically to get the best from the V10 and send the M5 through exhilarating acceleration ... the driver first making sure there is enough road between the M5 bonnet and the car in front! Be warned, it takes only 4.7 seconds to top 62mph.

The gear changing technology also features Drivelogic, which gives the driver 11 transmission programmes.

To get the best out of the system, the driver needs to tailor the system to their own needs and to access what is appropriately called Launch Control.

On the road, the M5 provides an exceptional ride, assisted by traction control, power management and handling all combining to control the car as it provides a balanced ride and drive.

Each time the M5 is started the engine is programmed to deliver only 400bhp. This is designed to suit normal urban traffic conditions when the driver does not necessarily want 507bhp on tap. The driver can call up the extra 107bhp by either pressing a Power button on the transmission tunnel or use the "M" button (yet another "M") on the steering wheel. As the 507bhp kicks in listen out for the rumble of power from inside the engine compartment.

In standard road trim the M5 will not exceed 155mph, but BMW product manager Lee Connolly confirmed that any technician with the know-how is able to get round that.

All manufacturers providing over-the-top super speedsters for European roads have agreed to restrict road-going cars to 155mph, whatever it says on the speedo. Under this agreement, no authorised dealer is allowed to de-restrict the car. However, there is nothing to stop someone outside the family from over-riding the limiter: frightening to imagine the M5 at top speed, 205mph, on the A64.

Dealers: Castle, Clifton Moorgate, Clifton Moor, York (01904 693313); Malton BMW, York Road, Malton (01653 600700).

:: BUMPER TO BUMPER

Price: £61,760 (Sold out for months ahead)

Transmission: Automatic, sequential with manual. Seven speed. Drive to the rear wheels.

Engine: 4999cc, 40-valve V10.

Power: 507bhp at 7,750rpm/torque 383.2lb.ft at 6,100rpm. Maximum engine speed 8,250rpm.

Performance: Top speed 155mph governed. 0-62mph 4.7-seconds.

Economy: 12.4mpg urban, 27.7mpg extra urban, 19.1mpg combined. Average CO2 357g/km

Updated: 09:24 Friday, May 27, 2005