With the same V8 M Hybrid powertrain as flagship XM, the new M5 embraces low CO2 high performance.
The imposing power delivery and emotionally engaging performance experience served up by the new BMW M5 are accompanied by a new interpretation of the high-performance car design for which M is renowned. Prominent wheel arch and side skirt extensions, the sculptural front apron and model-specific surfacing around the C-pillar – including an embossed “M5” logo for the Hofmeister kink – give the car an athletic appearance that helps to differentiate it more clearly than ever from the BMW 5 Series Sedan. At the same time, an unusually high proportion of surfaces painted in body colour create a puristic appearance with stylish references to its superior dynamic talents.
As such, the exterior design – like the ambience of the luxurious interior, which is enhanced with M-specific features – accentuates the multi-layered character of the new BMW M5. Its sense of poise and assurance is fuelled by vast reserves of power that can be summoned at any time. Kept discreetly in reserve during relaxed, electric-only cruises, this performance comes vividly to the fore as the BMW M5 reveals the “sporty sedan” side to its personality over longer distances – and is unleashed in full during sessions on the track.
The power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode. However, the driver can also select 2WD mode, sending drive exclusively to the rear wheels with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system switched off, which will appeal to experienced drivers who prefer a performance experience of the pure-bred variety. As yet there is no word if BMW plan to contest their own Guinness World records of "Longest continuous vehicle drift" and "Longest twin vehicle drift (water assisted) set by the previous generation of M5 which featured a similar 2WD mode. This further developed iteration of M xDrive – like the electronically controlled Active M Differential at the rear axle – is tailored specially to the performance characteristics of the M HYBRID drive system.
The M HYBRID drive system in the new BMW M5 brings a 4.4-litre V8 engine with classical high-revving character together with an electric motor, whose performance characteristics are tuned specifically for the BMW M5 and which is integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. This M HYBRID system, plus power transmission and chassis technology tuned to its specific performance characteristics. The new BMW M5 boasts figures of up to MPG 166.2 MPG and 37 g/km of CO2 combined according to WLTP, with a maximum output of 727hp/737 lb-ft. The combination of a high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor, plus power transfer courtesy of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive, enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. While that puts it slightly slower compared to the outgoing model in a standing start, having an M-car that returns just short of a potential 138mpg improvement in fuel economy, and sits in a road tax band of £0 a year, will probably make the trade off worth while!
In all-electric operating mode, the new BMW M5 can hit speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph). The high-voltage battery located low in the car’s underbody has 18.6 kWh of usable energy, enabling an electric range of 67 – 69 kilometres (42 – 43 miles) in the WLTP cycle, which is unmatched by any rival. The Combined Charging Unit of the new BMW M5 allows AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.
Together with its similarly outstanding elasticity, the new BMW M5 takes M performance into a new dimension. The worldwide market launch of the new BMW M5 will start in November 2024 and be accompanied by the introduction of the new BMW M5 Touring at the same time. This new M5 Touring ins the first time the model has returned to the M-car line-up since the V10 powered E60 model, and given the success in the M3 Touring sales, it's easy to see why the Touring has been brought back with this generation.
