Just a couple of weeks ago, we brought you the news about a new installment to the Need for Speed franchise that promised better police chases, an offline mode, and even daytime gameplay. More importantly, we’ll actually be able to pause the game for the first time since its reboot – that in itself is enough to pop champagne bottles and make it rain, right? Well, now we’re getting a look at the first official trailer and, needless to say, there are a few surprises. As promised, it does look like there are daytime gameplay and wicked police chases, but it also looks like it’s leaning a bit toward a Fast and Furious-type storyline. The new game is being called “Need for Speed: Payback” and is apparently about building the perfect ride and “playing out an action driving fantasy.”

The game will be released on November 10, 2017, and those who preorder will receive the platinum car pack that includes a 2008 Nissan 350Z, 1967 Chevy Camaro SS, 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 2016 Ford F-150 Raptor, and a 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport. But, this isn’t the only surprise that comes along with the announcement of the latest NFS game. The trailer gives us a quick but definite glimpse at the upcoming BMW M5. We only get to see the face for just a second, but it’s enough to tease us that much more.

Keep reading for the rest of the story.

Things Are Getting Interesting

The trailer you see above leaves me with some mixed feelings. First, I’m loving the daytime driving and the enthusiastic approach, but I’m not sure if the storyline is really going to be a hit. I mean, it has to be better than the online-only status of the reboot edition, but it seems a little too much like Fast and Furious for me. On the plus side, however, it should at least make for some interesting gameplay. Based on the dialog of the trailer, it seems as if car customization will be better than ever, and that’s obviously a big selling point of the game. With that said, I don’t think it will be a dud by any means, just different from what was expected. And, what about that M5.?

M5 front end from game cover

M5 Spy Shot


Comparing the two images above, it’s most certainly an M5 on the game cover and in the thumbnail of the trailer. Seems odd that the first uncamouflaged looked we’re getting is courtesy of EA Games, but I’m not complaining. It pretty much confirms everything we’ve expected up to this point, and it even goes along pretty well with our M5 rendering:

We have a different LED setup for the headlights, but the fascia is pretty spot-on, it seems. The upcoming M5 is expected to be lighter than its predecessor, will be offered with a 4.4-liter V-8 with higher fuel pressure, new turbos, better lubrication, and a lighter exhaust system. All told, it should crank out somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, enough to get the sedan up to 60 mph in four seconds flat. Just as important, it will also feature all-wheel drive for the first time. You can read our full, speculative review here.

So, what do you think about the trailer and the first glance we’ve gotten at the M5 without camo? Let us know in the comments section below.