Overview: The New BMW M5 2025 – A Hybrid Revolution for the Super Saloon

The BMW M5 has long been revered as the quintessential performance saloon. For over four decades, it has straddled the line between supercar performance and luxury saloon comfort, creating a unique driving experience that has appealed to enthusiasts and executives alike. The seventh-generation BMW M5, however, marks a significant departure from tradition. Gone is the sheer rawness of the previous generation, replaced by a cutting-edge plug-in hybrid powertrain. This new iteration of the M5 is defined by advanced electrification, digital sophistication, and a weighty shift in the character of one of the world’s most iconic sports sedans.

What is the New BMW M5?

At first glance, the BMW M5 remains familiar: a sleek and muscular performance saloon with the promise of blistering speed. But delve deeper, and you'll realize that much has changed beneath the surface. Instead of simply increasing engine size and output, BMW has introduced a plug-in hybrid system, which includes an 18.6kWh battery and a 194bhp electric motor, adding to the car’s familiar 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Combined, these two power sources generate a total system output of 727bhp and a staggering 737lb ft of torque.

The inclusion of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain offers more than just a performance boost. It provides the M5 with up to 42 miles of electric-only range, allowing for zero-emission driving in city traffic and the potential to save on fuel costs, while also offering tax breaks for owners in certain regions. BMW’s decision to integrate hybrid technology into the M5 reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry towards electrification, even in high-performance models. However, the shift from a traditional V8 to a hybridized version of the M5 has raised questions about the essence of the car, leaving some enthusiasts wondering if it can still deliver the raw, unfiltered driving experience that has defined the M5 for years.

Power and Performance: An Electrifying Mix

One of the most striking features of the new M5 is its performance capabilities. With a combined output of 727bhp, the M5 is incredibly quick, capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds. The addition of all-wheel drive and an active rear differential ensures that the M5 can deliver its immense power with incredible traction, making it a formidable performer on both winding roads and high-speed highways.

However, despite the increase in power, the new M5 isn’t quite as quick as its predecessor, the F90 M5. While the previous model, with its 591bhp V8, could achieve the same 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds, the new M5 weighs considerably more. The introduction of the hybrid powertrain, along with its associated batteries and components, has added approximately 600kg to the car’s weight, bringing its total kerb weight to 2,435kg. This increase in weight has affected the car's power-to-weight ratio, lowering it from 319bhp/tonne in the previous generation to 299bhp/tonne in the new model. Consequently, while the new M5 remains extremely fast, it isn’t quite as agile or nimble as its predecessor, and this additional mass can be felt in some driving scenarios.

Handling and Driving Experience: Fast, But Not As Pure

Despite the increased weight, the M5 retains its reputation for blistering speed. The car’s all-wheel-drive system, active rear differential, and multiple drive modes allow drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. For those seeking the ultimate in grip and stability, the M5 offers a range of traction aids that can be adjusted to suit various conditions. The car's launch control system is a standout feature, providing brutal acceleration and impressive grip, even in rear-drive mode. When set up correctly, the M5 is capable of monstrous performance on twisty roads or straightaways.

However, the driving experience isn’t as engaging as some enthusiasts might expect. While the M5 is incredibly quick and capable, it lacks the visceral, connected feel that previous generations of the car have offered. The steering, while precise, offers little in the way of feedback, and the brakes, while powerful, lack the natural feel that one would expect from a performance-oriented vehicle. The car’s weight also becomes apparent when the M5 starts to lose traction or experiences significant lateral forces. In such moments, the car’s mass can feel like it is taking over, dulling the feedback that enthusiasts often crave.

One of the more unusual features of the new M5 is the "Boost" mode, which allows the driver to maximize the car’s power output for short bursts of performance, such as overtaking slower vehicles. Activating this mode is as simple as pulling the left-hand paddle for a second or more, at which point the car’s head-up display flashes "BOOST" in large capital letters. While this may seem like a modern-day version of a traditional kickdown feature, it feels almost gamified, a symptom of the increasingly complex systems that now define the M5's driving experience.

Technological Sophistication: A Car of Systems and Settings

One of the defining characteristics of the new M5 is the sheer level of customization it offers. Virtually every aspect of the car’s performance can be adjusted, from screen layouts to brake feel, allowing the driver to create a personalized driving experience. There are a plethora of settings for the drivetrain, suspension, and traction control, making the M5 one of the most programmable cars on the market. However, this level of customization comes at a cost. The sheer number of options and adjustments can make finding the "Goldilocks" setting frustratingly difficult, as drivers struggle to achieve a balance between comfort, performance, and agility.

In terms of sound, the new M5’s exhaust note is engineered into the car, rather than being a product of the engine’s natural performance. While the car is relatively quiet from the outside, the cabin is filled with synthesized sounds that mimic the roar of a high-performance engine. The exhaust pops and bangs that occur in more aggressive driving modes are digitally mapped and sound the same every time, rather than being an organic expression of the car’s effort. This, combined with the rubbery upshifts of the eight-speed automatic transmission, which are meant to feel aggressive but instead seem jarring, gives the M5 a somewhat artificial, digitized character. For some, this may detract from the authenticity that the M5’s predecessors have delivered.

Design: Purposeful Yet Uninspiring

In terms of design, the new M5 sticks closely to the BMW 5 Series’ overall aesthetic but adds a few key modifications to signal its performance credentials. The front end has been redesigned with larger air intakes, brake-cooling vents, and a wider stance to accommodate the beefier hybrid powertrain. The car’s rear features a new diffuser and quad exhaust pipes, while a small M-specific bootlid spoiler adds a subtle touch of aggression.

While the M5’s exterior design is purposeful, it doesn’t stand out as much as some of its rivals. The front end looks bold, but the sides of the car lack the same form and impact. Compared to competitors like the Audi RS6 or Porsche Panamera, the M5’s design lacks the same presence, and in some cases, it can look a bit fussy or busy, particularly with its wide arches and flared sills. At the rear, the car’s bumper has even been compared to a pair of stylized pants – a comment that, once heard, is hard to ignore.

Price and Value: A Pricey Yet Competitive Package

The new BMW M5 comes with a starting price of £111,405, which places it firmly in the realm of high-performance luxury sedans. While this may seem expensive, it is actually quite competitive compared to rivals. The Audi RS6, for example, starts at £112,545, and Porsche’s Panamera GTS, with its 493bhp engine, is priced at £125,600. Both of these competitors offer a more traditional driving experience, and in some ways, they may be more appealing to driving purists.

However, the M5’s plug-in hybrid powertrain offers a unique selling point, giving it the ability to drive in electric-only mode for up to 42 miles, which can be a real advantage in terms of fuel efficiency and tax benefits. For those who prioritize fuel savings and want a more environmentally friendly option without sacrificing performance, the M5’s hybrid drivetrain might be the perfect fit.

Verdict: Not the M5 We Remember, But Still Impressive

The new BMW M5 is undoubtedly an impressive car. It’s fast, technologically advanced, and offers a range of customization options that allow drivers to tailor the car to their exact preferences. However, it also represents a significant departure from the raw, thrilling character that has traditionally defined the M5. The car’s hybrid powertrain and complex systems make it feel more like a top-end 5 Series than a true M5, and some enthusiasts may find its digitized character a bit too restrained for their liking.

While the M5 is undoubtedly capable and dominant in many ways, it lacks the rebellious, edgy spirit that has long been associated with the model. It’s a car that can destroy roads and obliterate distances, but it doesn’t do so with the same soul or authenticity that has made the M5 such an iconic name. Ultimately, the seventh-generation BMW M5 feels more like a high-tech luxury sedan than a true performance car, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it may not be what many expect from a legendary nameplate like the M5.