New BMW M5 teased: V8 super saloon is almost ready to debut
This is the long-awaited new BMW M5, and it's a 190mph plug-in hybrid[1] super saloon.
- New BMW M5 revealed
- Plug-in hybrid V8 for iconic super saloon
- 727hp and 1,000Nm of torque
- Weighs 500kg more than the outgoing car
- Upgraded suspension to handle extra weight
- On sale now from GBP110,000
The new BMW M5[2] is finally here, and it takes a very different approach to performance than the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. While that car uses a 2.0-litre four-pot engine, the new M5 is still packing a V8. That eight-cylinder engine is paired to an electric motor to make a whopping 727hp, however all the hybrid gubbins have made this new M5 500kg heavier than the car it replaces.
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New BMW M5 engine and performance
BMW M5 fans can rest easy knowing that there's still a thumping V8 engine under the bonnet of this new car. Specifically, it's the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged unit you'll find in the BMW XM[3] SUV[4].
New BMW M5 engine
On its own this engine puts out 585hp and 750Nm of torque, but when combined with an electric motor in the eight-speed automatic gearbox it gets a whopping 727hp and 1,000Nm of torque.
New BMW M5 front driving
That's almost 50hp more than you get in a Mercedes-AMG C63 S, but it's 20Nm down on torque. However, the 0-60mph times for the two cars are almost identical.
The BMW completes the sprint in a claimed 3.5 seconds, while the Mercedes takes 3.4 seconds.
New BMW M5 rear driving
This is likely to be down to the weight. The new BMW M5 tips the scales at a whopping 2,400kg, making it 500kg heavier than the old M5. The AMG C63 is still a bit of a porker, but it weighs 2,190kg giving it a pretty big advantage.
New BMW M5 plug-in hybrid system
The main reason for this added bulk is likely to be the hybrid battery.
BMW wanted to make sure this new M5 was a usable hybrid with decent EV range[5] rather than just having the system there for performance, so it uses an 18.6kWh battery. This gives it up to 40 miles of electric range, much better than the rather pathetic seven miles the Mercedes-AMG C63 can manage from its 6kWh battery. This will prove useful for wafting around town, daily commuting or just making sure your thunderous V8 doesn't wake the neighbours up in the morning.
Not to mention it'll be lower emissions and thus better for your tax bills.
New BMW M5 chassis and suspension
Weight is the enemy of handling, so BMW's engineers have had to work pretty hard to make sure this new M5 is just as good as the old one when the going gets twisty.
New BMW M5 rear driving
It has lowered, stiffened M Sport suspension as standard to keep body roll in check, as well as strengthened engine mounts and front strut braces for added rigidity. Work has also been done to tighten up the connection between the front subframe and the steering rack for improved responsiveness. At the back you get rear-wheel steering as standard.
This will make the car more agile on a twisty road, as well as more manoeuvrable in town. The rear axle mounts and strut braces are beefed-up as well.
New BMW M5 design
BMW M5 owners aren't usually the shy and retiring types - they want their super saloon to be as shouty and aggressive-looking as possible. Well good news, this new car is certainly no shrinking violet.
New BMW M5 front static
It's much wider than the standard 5 Series, as well as the old M5, thanks to flared wheel arches both front and rear.
These also make room for the massive tyres, which are mounted on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch alloys at the rear.
New BMW M5 side
The main change you'll find at the front are the massive air intakes in the lower bumper. The illuminated grille is very similar to the standard 5 Series'. This is paired with an equally enormous diffuser at the rear framing the quad tailpipes.
New BMW M5 rear
An extended carbon pack is available with the M5 which includes carbon fibre mirrors and lip spoiler, but more importantly it also gets you the carbon fibre roof.
You have a panoramic glass roof as standard.
New BMW M5 interior
The new BMW M5 also feels more special to sit in than the standard 5 Series thanks to a selection of tasty upgrades.
New BMW M5 interior
You have an M-specific steering wheel with red driving mode buttons on both sides, as well as body-hugging sports seats. There are also various red accents throughout the place, and the interior ambient lighting will greet you with a sweeping M-Sport tricolour animation across the dashboard.
New BMW M5: how much is it?
The new BMW M5 is available to order now, and despite the added complex hybrid system it's only GBP2,000 more expensive than the outgoing car. You'll have to part with GBP110,000 for this new M5, making it almost GBP12,500 more than a Mercedes-AMG C63 S.
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