Next BMW M5 to gain AWD option?

Looking to gain a little more traction in snowy sates, BMW is reportedly readying an all-wheel drive version of its next M5 sedan.

BMW's M-car offerings have so far only been available in rear-wheel drive form, but a new report suggests the German automaker will be bucking that trend with its next-generation M5 sedan.

Although BMW's X5 M and X6 M models both utilize all-wheel drive systems, BMW's M-badged cars have adhered to a rear-wheel drive only philosophy. However, looking to expand the M brand to the U.S.' snow belt, BMW will reportedly offer an all-wheel drive version of its next-generation M5 sedan.

"There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future," Albert Biermann, BMW M's head of R&D, told Autocar.

No word on when we might see an all-wheel drive version of the new M5, but the production version of the rear-wheel drive sedan will bow later this year at the Frankfort Motor Show. The all-wheel drive system will undoubtedly add some weight to the M5, but the sprint from 0-60 should still take well under 5 seconds.

References
1.'M5 back with...' view