Top Gear’s online magazine doesn’t mince words in its verdict of the 2012 BMW M5, beginning their review by calling the F10 M5 chuffing excellent. So what made it chuffing excellent for Top Gear’s reviewer? Take a look inside.

Automobile, who brought us their very entertaining 1M coupe review, now comes in with their F10 M5 review.

Buried in the monstrous new press release on the new F10 M5, we noticed an interesting new feature called “Active Sound Design.”

Behind this marketing term is a fairly simple idea. The new M5 reproduces the car’s engine sound via the in-car audio system. In other word, if you’re sitting inside the car you not only hear the engine but also an audio track of the engine based on throttle input, speed, and engine rev. As BMW puts it, this makes for better feedback as you hear exactly what the engine is doing. Another obvious benefit is that it allows to change the noise levels based on your driving behaviour as the reproduction by the audio system gets louder and more intense in Sport and Sport+ settings.… CONTINUED

Check inside for a completely new batch of 2012 F10 M5 wallpapers (exterior, interior, powertrain, and technology), as well as a new updated and more detailed press release / media info PDF.

Autocar was impressed with the F10 M5 (no surprise there) and it shows in their review. We particularly like their verdict that the new M5 is a landmark car in many respects. Read on for the crucials details.

The first drive reviews of the F10 M5 have begun rolling in. Insideline has just posted their first impressions of BMW’s newest M5. Their verdict? They call the F10 M5 a better overall sport sedan compared to the E60.

The more interesting comments are posted inside, but head over to Insideline for the full review.

Here’s the best live action footage of the F10 M5, from full throttle runs on the Ascar Race Resort Track, to spirited driving in the Spanish mountains, and cruising in the city streets.

The 2012 M5 (F10) will come in a fairly extensive choice of colors, including some beautiful individual exterior color options. One of the individual exterior color options is Brilliant White Metallic, which we’ve spotted hanging out at BMW M HQ in Garching, Germany.

Besides the individual brilliant white metallic exterior paint, the this M5 also has other individual options, such as the black painted mirrors and wheels. The red leather interior looks great set off against the white and black exterior color scheme.

As for not having blue brakes, it’s probably because it’s not a production M5, but a factory test car.

We’ve put together a color preview guide for the F10 M5, which can be seen at http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546540

Now that the F10 M5 has been revealed, the natural question for potential owners is what the 2012 M5 sales and production schedule will be? We break it down inside:

M5 Debut Schedule:

World public debut - M Festival (June 22, 2011)
UK public debut - Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 1-3, 2011)
Autoshow debut - Frankfurt IAA autoshow (September 15-25, 2011)
US public debut - LA Autoshow (November 18-27, 2011)
Asia public debut - Tokyo Autoshow (December 3-11, 2011)

M5 Sales Begin:

European sales - November 2011
Asian sales - January 2012
US sales - Spring 2012

M5 Production Schedule (for US):

Begins March 2012 (see full F10 schedule inside)