BMW Unveils the New M5

The BMW M5 is reaching its next chapter in its 40 years of history. The seventh generation high performance sedan is always a flagship for BMW and the latest iteration continues this trend. With tons of tech, updated styling, and a few first for this high-performance machine, this reveal gives us a clearer view of where BMW is headed.

For those that haven’t been paying attention, BMW has been taking strides towards electrification for several years now. The M5 continues this trend by combining the efforts of a high revving 4.4-liter V8 powered by BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo and an electric motor connected to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and M xDrive all-wheel-drive system making it a first for the M5 as a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). This hybrid system is able to produce 717hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. This combination of combustion engine working with an electric motor is very closely related to the BMW M Hybrid V8 found in the endurance race car.

The combustion engine alone is capable of peak torque of 577hp and 553 lb-ft of torque with a rev limit of about 7200 rpm. The electric motor makes up for the rest of the equation serving up 194hp to 207 lb-ft to the maximum system torque. This number is boosted to as much as 332 lb-ft at the transmission due to the pre-gearing stage patented by BMW. Needless to say the hybrid system itself weighs a whopping 882 lbs, making it weight more than a 2025 X5. When all is working in unison, this allows the 5390lb behemoth to scoot from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds with a 190mph top speed, if you opt-in for the M Driver’s Package. This distinct symphony to the senses can be heard from its newly developed sport exhaust system with its two pairs of dual 4-inch diameter tailpipes.

In order to save space as well as power all the electronics, a newly designed high-voltage battery is installed in the underbody. This also lowers the overall center of gravity to bring about balance and to help with heat management. Depending on the situation and the driver’s preferences, you have the option to choose from either performance or efficiency. 

There will be an assortment of colors to choose from for the launch. One solid and nine metallic including exclusive M colors such as Isle of Man Green metallic and Marina Bay Blue, as well as the matte finish Frozen Deep Grey metallic. This along with a whole slew of individual colors will be included. 

Newly designed M alloy wheels with staggered dimensions come standard. The M double-spike style 951 will come in a Midnight Grey finish, 20-inch in front and 21-inch in the rear, fitted with 285/40 ZR20 and 295/35 ZR21 respectively. High performance tires are optional as well as two alternate wheel designs in bi-color and Jet Black. 

Inside you will be welcomed to the warm glow of the ambient lighting all around. The lighting provides illumination for the footwells, door pockets, cup holders, interior trim, speaker system, door panel trim, and setbacks. The current M mode selected will reflect in the color of the lighting, but in track mode the lighting is all turned off. The luxury doesn’t stop there. You can choose to outfit the interior with full merino leather in several different colors such as black, silverstone/black bi-color, red/black bi-color, and kyalami orange/black bi color. BMW didn’t stop there, the option for the individual Full Merino Metallic leather trim will be available in black/dark violet bi-color and taupe grey/deep lagoon pearl effect bi-color. The metallic effect is made using High Definition Design and BMW is the first automaker to include this process in one of its products.

The dash has been updated as well. With a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, you should easily be able to keep tabs on all the relevant information to your drive. A head-up display is included as standard and projects all relevant information, including a multi-colored tachometer, shift lights, and M view, onto the windscreen for easy viewing. 

Needless to say the new M5 is definitely making a big splash. Not to mention with the wagon coming stateside it is very clear they are wanting to take marketshare away from the Audi RS6. We can expect to see the new M5 during its worldwide launch in November 2024.