Car reviews

Quite how BMW will follow this car is hard to imagine, but, two years into the model's life a rather practical Touring version appeared which is only a fraction slower than the four-door. Under the bonnet is the kind of power that's normally reserved for Ferrari and Lamborghini owners. It's a 5.0-litre V10 with 507bhp (more than 100bhp per litre) which has been tuned using Formula One style techniques. Power delivery is smooth and accessible, the interior is refined and comfortable and the ride is supple enough to soak up most bumps. Top Gun fans and gadget nuts will appreciate the fighter jet-style head-up display that projects the car's speed (and other info) onto the windscreen - just one highlight of the on-board electronica. There is an argument that says for the same money you could have bought a Porsche 911 and not have to worry about lugging around a big saloon or estate body. But if you choose to go that way, one day you'll see an M-badged 5-Series' snout in your rear view mirror and you'll be in its way.