Plug-In Hybrid 2025 BMW M5 Debuts With 717 HP, It's Slower Than Previous-Gen M5

Of course, it will be joined by the G99 M5 in November 2024, when sales of the sedan will kick off worldwide. The four-door sedan is dubbed Sedan in BMW vernacular, whereas the wagon bears the Touring moniker. The yet-to-be-revealed M5 Touring will be the third in line after the six-pot E34 and the ten-cylinder E61.

Glancing over the press releases for the US and European markets, the Bavarian automaker specifies that its plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 setup is "derived from [the] BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racer." That would nonsense in more than one way. For starters, the sports prototype racing car uses a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 developed specifically for motorsport rather than a series-production 4.4L twin-turbo V8. Secondly, the hybrid side of the racer features standardized parts from Williams, Bosch, as well as Xtrac.

The other glaring point of contention yours truly identified in said press releases? As implied in the headline, acceleration to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) and 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour), respectively. To keep it simple, we'll talk about only the US-market estimate of 3.4 seconds. The F90-generation M5 Sedan requires 3.2 seconds in base flavor, 3.1 in Competition guise, and 2.9 for the CS.

As you might have guessed by now, that says a lot about the G90's curb weight. BMW claims 5,390 pounds (2,445 kilograms) for the US market or 2,435 kilograms (5,368 pounds) in Europe. It's quite a bit chunkier than the F90, innit? Going plug-in hybrid is the sole reason for gaining so much weight over the preceding M5 Sedan, but there's much to like about the G90.

Even though off-the-line acceleration is a bit meh, the newcomer is better in terms of at-speed acceleration. 50 to 75 miles per hour (80 to 120 kilometers per hour) takes 2.9 seconds in fifth, with BMW quoting 2.2 seconds in fourth gear. Top speed? Not uncommon among hi-po German sedans, the G90 is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour).

Rated at 717 horsepower from 5,600 to 6,500 revolutions per minute and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of tire-shredding twist between 1,800 and 5,400 revolutions per minute, this fellow is much obliged to max out at 190 miles per hour (305 kilometers per hour) if you pony up a few more bucks for the M Driver's Package. For some reason or another, the Euro release says 189.

From the regular F90 to the M5 CS, the forerunner also tops 305 clicks or 190 miles per hour. Exhaling through a sports exhaust with quad tailpipes neatly integrated into the contrasting rear apron, the 2025 BMW M5 Sedan produces 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm) from the V8 alone. The eight-speed automatic transmission's electric motor develops 194 horsepower and 207 pound-feet (280 Nm), with effective torque resulting from pre-gearing listed as being 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) of torque.

M5 enthusiasts already know that the F90 produces more internal combustion-only power across the board. The reason why is the different engine, which is called S63 in the sixth generation rather than S68 in the G90 and forthcoming G99. Developed with electrification in mind, the S68 also powers the 760i, the M60i version of the X5 through X7, the XM, and the Alpina XB7.

Because you're looking at a plug-in hybrid, we have to touch upon fuel economy and electric driving range. The weighted combined WLTP estimate is 1.7 to 1.6 liters per 100 kilometers, which is as believable as the boy who cried wolf. It's not that BMW is lying, but rather the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure that replaces the even more optimistic New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

With the 22.1-kWh battery discharged, of which only 18.6 kilowatt hours are usable, BMW claims a WLTP fuel consumption of 10.3 to 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers or 22.8 to 23.0 miles to the gallon. The F90 couldn't do better than 11.1 l/100 km or 21.2 mpg. Despite being such a heavy car, the G90 is – remarkably – more efficient.

Up to 69 kilometers (43 miles) of WLTP electric driving range are possible, whereas BMW of North America targets around 25 miles (40 kilometers). The maximum speed in EV mode is 140 kilometers per hour (87 miles per hour). Similar to its predecessor, the M xDrive system comes with a 2WD mode for some rear-biased fun in the twisties or in the Walmart parking lot.

From the standpoint of exterior design, you can easily tell the G90 apart from the G60 with the help of the M5-specific surfacing around the C pillars, which obviously feature M5 logos. Equipped 20- and 21-inch wheels mounted with either Hankook or Michelin rubber, the seventh-gen M5 flaunts chunky wheel arches as well.

Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional. The charging port is located on the driver's front quarter panel, with the charging time from empty to 100 percent estimated at 3 hours 15 minutes if the charging rate doesn't drop below 7.4 kilowatt hours. Every G90 boasts a carbon roof, an illuminated kidney grille finished in high-gloss black, large intakes in the front bumper, a two-section aerodynamic diffuser, and a lid spoiler.

The cockpit is a development of the G60 as well, specifically the six-cylinder M560e xDrive and the zero-emission i5 M60 xDrive. Noticeably bolstered yet comfortable M5-specific seats are on the menu as well, along with illuminated M5 badges in the backrests of the front seats. The BMW Curved Display comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touch display for the iDrive 8.5 infotainment system.

Lastly, prices kick off at $119,500 plus $1,175 for the destination charge. It's a helluva lot of moolah, yet also surprising if you remember that the 2018 BMW M5 launched at $102,600 plus $995. Adjusted for inflation, the 2018 model's base price would be $131,460 in today's money. Oh, and by the way, the M5 Touring will be available stateside as well.