Just a couple of years after the standard BMW 5 Series and its electric i5 counterpart was unveiled, we now have the high-performance 2025 BMW M5. Embracing plug-in hybrid technology in the electrified era, the M5 won’t go fully electric yet because a V8 is still part of the super sedan’s identity.
The First Plug-In Hybrid M5
That V8, the same S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo unit that’s been fitted in numerous BMW M cars including the XM super SUV, has 577 hp and 750 Nm of torque, less than the M5 Competition’s 617 hp and the 627 hp from the M5 CS. However, that V8 is augmented by a 194-hp and 280-Nm electric motor mounted into the ZF eight-speed automatic. Thanks to a patented pre-gearing stage between the electric motor and the automatic transmission’s input shaft, that electric motor’s torque figure is raised to 450 Nm.
That gives the new M5 a total output of 717 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, which is good enough for a 0-100 kph time of just 3.5 seconds. It’s an impressive figure, but it’s actually two-tenths slower to one hundred compared to the M5 Competition’s 3.3-second time. Sure, it’s a minor difference, but you expect a more powerful model to be faster, right?
Blame the M Hybrid drivetrain that’s fitted to this car, which offsets any horsepower gains. The new model weighs a whopping 2,445 kg versus the previous M5 Competition which weighs 1,971 kg, no thanks to the 18.6 kWh battery that allows the M5 to travel up to 67 km in pure electric mode. That battery can be charged through AC of up to 7.4 kW, which is good enough for a 0-100 percent charge in just three hours and 15 minutes.
Still A Thorough, Albeit Heavy Super Sedan
On the upside, the M Hybrid drivetrain allows for a more responsive throttle than ever before, as well as having more consistent power delivery since the electric motor fills in any performance gaps of the gasoline engine. There’s even a Boost Control system that, when you pull back from the left paddle, puts all of the vehicle’s settings into its highest-performance mode.
But an M car isn’t just about straight-line performance, because what buyers truly want out of their M cars is tenacious cornering capabilities that enable them to have a bit of fun. With that, the 2025 BMW M5 continues to feature all-wheel drive (AWD), but it can be switched to a rear-biased setting or a complete rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup altogether by deactivating the front axle altogether. Furthermore, the Active M Differential can also shuffle the power between the left and right wheels. The system can even send power to just an individual wheel if it thinks the car is headed to an understeer.
Wider, Sportier Looks
Finally, we’ve now come to the part you’d often love to scrutinize in any new BMW, and that’s its styling. In the 2025 BMW M5, things are not as shock-and-awe since you’ve already seen the standard 5 Series in the first place. It looks rather nice, though the implementation of the CLAR platform in the current 5 Series to take into account an electric version means it looks a bit taller than the outgoing F80 M5.
There are numerous standout details in the M5, however, such as the kidney grilles that are nearly enclosed as these houses the sensors for the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The grille is also illuminated, because of course why wouldn’t it be, and then the front and rear bumpers are sportier. Expectedly, the wheel arches are wider to accommodate the bigger and wider staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels.
Those wheels contain brakes that measure 16 inches up front and 15.7 inches at the back. If you want even more stopping power, you can opt for the M Carbon ceramic brakes, which do the usual stuff of being more resistant to fade after being beaten up on track, and is identified by its gold brake calipers.
Other details worth highlighting are the quad exhausts in gloss black, the pronounced rear diffuser, the fender-mounted air vents, and the M5 logo embossed on the C-pillar.
More Luxurious And Tech-Laden
Perhaps another contributor to its weight gain is the sheer amount of tech and luxury that’s offered in the 2025 BMW M5. The interior is, as expected, built to the highest quality, and you can go all in with the leather by opting for the BMW Individual Full Merino Metallic leather package. Tech also plays a major role in the M5, with those two screens powered by the latest iDrive 8.5 operating system. Those screens contain M-specific menus and displays, while the Interaction Bar which also acts as the ambient lighting can be programmed to feature the BMW M signature tri-color.
BMW has also ditched the M carbon seat options in favor of highly adjustable and comfortable M Multifunction seats. These are said to meet the typical wants of the BMW M5 buyer as they usually seek long-distance comfort over outright track support. Further building on that luxury orientation are the standard Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, and the Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof, which can be swapped out for a traditional M carbon fiber roof that’s 30 kg lighter.
But Wait, The M5 Touring Is Making A Comeback
Fans of wagons will be happy to know that the 2025 BMW M5 will also be offered in Touring form or wagon in BMW’s marketing speak. The M5 Touring has already been teased for more than a year now, and is expected to finally debut in less than a month.
Interested in the 2025 BMW M5? Production is already expected to begin this July, with a Philippine launch most likely happening in a year from now.
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