727bhp is, by any metric, a lot. But there’s an active rear differential and enough customisable, stepped traction aids to make it a pussycat if you want it to be. Plus the M5 is all-wheel drive. It’s always a little rear-biased, but you can mess with the systems to make it even more so, or indeed just stick it in two-wheel drive mode and set fire to the rear tyres. It’s not a subtle burnout in the new M5; it just evaporates rubber.
Switch 4WD back on, engage launch and it’ll see off 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and on to a limited 155mph, or 189mph (still limited) if you option the M Driver’s Package and have an autobahn commute.