FIRST LOOK: THE HYBRID-POWERED 717-HP 2025 BMW M5 IS THE MOST POWERFUL M5 EVER

A new generation of BMW 5-Series arrived earlier this year as the G60 sedan, G61 wagon, and extra-long G68 (for the Chinese market). So far, we received the G60 sedan and as with the launch of any new generation of 5-Series, eyebrows rise and thumbs twiddle in anticipation of the next-gen high-performance M5. And now, those eyebrows and thumbs can rest because it's finally and officially here.

Meet the all-new, seventh, yes, seventh, generation, BMW M5. It's already hard to believe that so much time has passed since the idea of a high-performance BMW arrived with the E12-based M535i sedan in 1980. It eventually evolved to introduce the world's first-ever M5 sedan with the E28 generation and as they say, the rest is history, with each and every M5 succeeding to become an automotive icon on its own.

Many years later, the M5 is still with us and as one would expect, on the latest G60 chassis. As many speculated beforehand, the new 2025 BMW M5 yanks a lot of its parts from the XM crossover SUV, including its twin-turbocharged, gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain and all-wheel-drive system. And to drum up even more excitement, BMW is even catering to wealthy wagon lovers as, for the first-time ever, BMW will be selling its M5 Touring wagon here in the states with this generation. So, let's get into the nitty-gritty.

Plug-In Hybrid M Power

While an M5 going all-electric is still the fear of every petrolhead, it thankfully still sticks around for the latest G90. So here's the down-low on the specs. Under the hood sits the latest and greatest version of BMW M's S63B44T0 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8. Output, 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, all channeled through an eight-speed ZF-sourced STEPTRONIC automatic. But wait, there's more.

Because the M5 now essentially gets the XMs hybridized powertrain, the M5's version gains some updates. Revisions occur with the S63 V-8, all of which mainly focus on improved oil flow and cooling efficiency, which helps to keep the internals lubricated and helps to prevent overheating. An accompanying electric motor sits inside the eight-speed automatic transmission and produces an additional 194 hp and 207 pound-feet of torque.

Total system output tops out at a whopping 717 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque (or roughly 1,000 NM), but in certain drive modes, the electric motor can send up to an additional 332 total pound-feet of torque through the transmission input shaft. BMW says the new M5 will decimate the 0-60 sprint in just 3.4 seconds, but knowing BMW, who has a reputation for underrating the performance of their performance cars, those are all likely conservative figures.

But it isn't all about the 0-60 sprint with the M5 as not only is it one of the few practical sedans that also feels at home on a racetrack, it's also meant to haul butt on the Autobahn. So rolling acceleration figures are also a highlight. For instance, the new M5 can sprint from 50 to 75 MPH in under three seconds in fifth gear and in as quick as 2.2 when downshifting to fourth. And if you're lucking enough to live somewhere to take advantage of the M Driver's Package, the M5 will top out at an electronically-limited 190 MPH. All other M5's are limited to 155 MPH.

The Best of Both Worlds

Gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion cartainly isn't new technology. The Toyota Prius proved that it works en masse back in 1997. But it's new for the M5 as it's the first-ever electrified model in any capacity, and the first plug-in hybrid M5 with BMW's eDrive system as well. That comes thanks to a permanent synchronous motor sitting inside the eight-speed automatic's transmission case, which transfers the electric power assist through a uniquely designed pre-gearing stage at the transmission input section, all engineered and patented by BMW.

There, it supplies electric power assist with regenerative brake capabilities with juice flowing to and from an onboard battery pack. While all of that is happening, the gasoline engine simultaneously ends power through the transmission and into the xDrive's main center transfer case. It's a system tried, tested, and proven with the BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racing car, but adapted and modified for street and production use. All power is then sent mechanically from the transfer case through conventional driveshafts through an electronically-controlled Active M Differential.

The battery pack itself is a 14.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion unit that's been optimized and engineered for high-performance driving. It's rated at 347.5 volts with a max charging rate of 7.4 kilowatts. With BMW's own M Hybrid system managing the car's complete power supply with its Combined Charging Unit, the electric powertrain also serves as a source of juice for the car's secondary 12-volt electric system meant for the onboard accessories. This allows for more efficient management of the car's electrical system to make sure that no electron goes to waste.

RWD? AWD? Multiple Drive Modes And More.

Like the outgoing generation of BMW M5, M xDrive is standard and also configurable on the new G90. While the car defaults to all-wheel drive automatically with a rear-wheel-drive bias, one can select the system to send power exclusively to the rear-wheels. Alternatively, drivers can also adjust the behavior of the stability control and all-wheel-drive system, depending on the settings inside the M Setup menu.

With the electric hybrid assist, drivers can also select modes in the M Hybrid system, which can enable the M5 to drive in all-electric mode for a distance of up to 25 miles, according to BMW. The system's default mode is M HYBRID, which efficiently manages system output between the gas V-8 and the electric motor.

BMW M Bred Performance Suspension And Brakes

The M5 has always been more than a 5-Series with a big engine. The chassis, suspension, steering, and braking systems, have all been upgraded and reworked by BMW M's performance division. Suspending the M5 is the works: five-way multi-link rear suspension, a double wishbone arrangement up front along with BMW's signature 50/50 weight distribution. A completely new lightweight rear axle subframe engineered specifically for the M5 reduces unsprung weight. It's then complemented with completely bespoke lightweight rear track, camber and guide control arms to improve handling and straight line stability.

The front double wishbones, made of lightweight aluminum, all feature carefully adjusted axle kinematics and geometry, bespoke to the M5. It's also engineered to utilize BMW"s latest M Servotronic and Integral Active Steering systems, which combines speed-sensitive variable power assist and a variable steering ratio. At its core remains a conventional rack-and-pinion unit, though it it's fully electrically assisted with variable effort, for ease of maneuverability. When any of the M Modes are enabled with performance profiles, the steering effort gains weighting and heft with reduced power assist for a more connected feel.

The new BMW M5's Active Steering Assist also comes with active four-wheel steering capabilities, where the rear axles can steer up to 1.5 degrees in each direction, dependent on the steering angle of the front axle and the vehicle's speed. The result is easier maneuverability in low-speed situations such as city or parking lot driving, and significantly improved directional and high-speed stability and lane-change maneuverability.

BMW CurvedDisplay and iDrive 8.5 In An M Suit

As with all new and recent BMWs, especially in the 5-Series, CurvedDisplay and iDrive 8.5 make their debut in the M5 for the first time, utilizing the same dashboard design. Only, being an M5, everything's dressed up at the software level to feature M and M5 badge and theming everywhere. Just in case you forget that you're driving an M5, or one of the fastest and most iconic sports sedans in all history.

And this, being a BMW 5-Series at heart, it's still going to be laden with technology and creature comforts to make the M5 just as usable everyday as it is a tire-shredding racetrack monster. Standard luxury amentitie range from a Bower & Wilkins hi-fi sound system, BMW's Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof as standard (an optional M Carbon roof is available, which reduces weight and the center of gravity by 66 pounds). And high-end Merino leather is optional, should you really want to make your M5 into a suave Autobahn stormer.

All That M Power For $119,500

Well, BMW's M5 was never a cheap vehicle to begin with, so its six-figure price tag doesn't come to much surprise. That $119,500 is just the price of entry, without any options, and without the mandatory $1,175 destination and handling charge. As you can imagine, depending on the amount of optional extras and accessories bundled, that price will likely encoach closer to the $130,000 mark, not including taxes and fees.

Sales are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024 with the M5 sedan making its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.

2024-06-26T10:08:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd