[Spy Photos] F90 BMW M5 Interior and Shift Lever Seen

Because of the preliminary test drives that BMW organised for journalists of the upcoming F90-gen BMW M5, we have known some details including its performance, some of its looks, its cabin, and that it has little red paddles on the steering wheel for dedicated “M1” and “M2” buttons. Now, these new spy photos show off a new shift lever in the interior.

These photos show the upcoming M5’s shift lever looks more like the one on the 8 Series Concept. It looks sporty and ergonomic. It looks very different from the odd-looking teardrop shifter in DCT-equipped BMWs. The M5 uses a traditional eight-speed auto and not a DCT, so it wouldn’t have that weird little lever. However, we’re hoping this new shift lever makes its way onto every sporty BMW.

The shape is only one thing to notice. Another thing that caught our attention here is the up/down rocker button placed on the top of the lever, just above the shift pattern graphic. If this is the button to change the aggression of the shifts, this is a new position for it because this is usually on the console below the shifter on all M cars. What this new position does is to allow the driver to adjust the aggression of the shifts in manual mode without having to take your hand off. Great move for BMW that makes the interior even more driver oriented.

If you look closely, there also seems to be a little exhaust button above the parking sensor button but below the adaptive drive select button. This nice addition allows the driver to have the loud exhaust in Comfort mode. And it also works the other way around when you want quieter sound but drive on Sport Plus mode.

And is that a red ambient lighting we see in the lever itself? It is kinda cool, but maybe not for everybody.