Last month we brought you some of the first reports of plans for an all-wheel drive version of the upcoming 2012 BMW M5. Today the rumors coalesce with supposed confirmation from an unnamed source within the company.

This move isn't really surprising, though it is out of form for the M Division, aside from the brawny and physics-defying X members of the family. Based on their dynamic all-wheel drive systems, we look forward to an all-wheel-drive M5.

For those that have driven the X6 M and X5 M, it's clear that there's still ample opportunity for sideways hooliganism, with the added benefit of better performance in low-grip situations. The purer rear-drive solution will likely remain an option for those that won't have it any other way.

Of course, this may yet all come to naught, as there's been no official word on the M5's drivetrain at all from BMW--much less confirmation from a known source on any all-wheel drive potential. For now, we'll have to make do with speculation and hope.

[Autocar]