The interwebs brings word that the new F10 BMW M5 has set what is being claimed as a new lap record at the Nürburgring for a production model four-door sedan. The time has been set, apparently, by a BMW test driver. The time being bandied about is 7 minutes 55 seconds.

That’s pretty quick, but it’s actually no quicker than the time claimed by Subaru; former world rally champ Tommi Mäkinen posted a 7:55 lap at the wheel of a WRX STI sedan around this time last year.

Let’s put that aside for a moment, then, and compare the F10 M5 against its older brothers:

• F10 M5 7:55 (claimed)
• E60 M5 8:13 (Sport Auto time)
• E39 M5 8:28 (Sport Auto time)

Steady improvements there for each new generation. Either way, we’re certain the new M5 will be up to Ring-Taxi duties when it returns in 2012.

[Source: Bimmerboost via BimmerFile]