There’s something exotically special about a V10-powered saloon like the previous generation BMW M5 (E60), but even though its successor has two less cylinders, it more than compensates for the loss with the addition of a pair of turbochargers when it comes to speed.

As always, the numbers don’t lie: the E60 M5’s 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V10 churns out 500hp (507PS) and a peak torque of 520Nm (428 lb-ft), while the newer F10 M5’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, 552hp (560PS) from 6,000 to 7,000rpm and a maximum torque of 680Nm (502 lb-ft) from 1,500 rpm to 5,750rpm.

To get a taste of how these figures translate on the road, members of the M5Board forums took the two generations of the M5 to an airstrip for a speed challenge. Enjoy the videos after the break.

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