2025 BMW M5 reveals off a variety of personalities

• Highway testing within the redesigned M5 reveals a broader vary of efficiency and luxury
• Plug-in hybrid sedan has a 0-60 mph time of three.4 seconds
• It prices $120,675, whereas the Touring wagon variant provides $2,000

Two Rolls-Royce Spectres flanked a $600,000 Cullinan Black Badge Collection II, glinting like royalty within the South Carolina solar. Beside it, the cutesy new Mini Cooper S Convertible seemed just like the Cullinan’s chew toy. 4 generations of the BMW X5 courted those that love automotive historical past, the fourth-generation X3 injected new life into the model’s bestseller, however of the handfuls of latest autos to drive at BMW’s Efficiency Middle in Spartanburg, I couldn’t—I wouldn’t—steer my consideration away from the brand new M5.

The observe past the staging space was closed to me, so I examined it on the commercial backroads knotting BMW’s largest manufacturing facility on the planet. Surrounded by semis, redirected by roundabouts, deflected by potholes, the seventh-generation M5 inspired me to take it for a second and finally a seventh drive not simply because it was the perfect efficiency car to play with however as a result of it demonstrated how BMW manages V-8 efficiency in an more and more electrified world. 

Sure, the efficiency mannequin of the 5-Collection that was redesigned for 2024 (the M5 skipped 2024) adopts V-8 plug-in hybrid powertrain much like the XM SUV however with a smaller battery pack. In case you’ve pushed that unsorted beast and also you’re porting these perceptions over to the M5 sedan, don’t. 

The powertrain is tuned and calibrated in another way, with a 577-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 mainlined with a 194-hp electrical motor built-in into the model’s ubiquitous 8-speed computerized. Collectively, the brand new M5 places down 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque—efficiency EV numbers, but with the primal name of a V-8 and the moment torque of electrical propulsion.

2025 M5 electrifies launch management

The M5 obscures its mechanical complexity with a easy dance transfer. Take it out wherever, say on a rolling stretch of shiny new asphalt close to an industrial complicated serving BMW and its many native suppliers. Push the pink M2 toggle on the steering wheel, word the soundness management button flip off (it’s dialed again), mash the brake pedal, and mash the throttle. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster turns roundel blue, and a 10-second timer seems within the cluster. 

Let go. And maintain on. 

It felt as if all 4 tires chirped letting off the brake, however possibly it was simply the bigger 295/35-21s on the rear (Hankook Ventus A1 evo Zs from the manufacturing facility). The all-wheel-drive system shifts to a rear bias when in Sport or Sport+ mode, that are mandatory for launch management. A full rear-wheel-drive setting may be chosen nevertheless it didn’t. Between the 2 M settings, the Consolation, Sport, and Sport Plus drive modes, and the 4 electrical drivetrain settings, I had my palms full, delightfully so.

Earlier than I had the prospect to look down on the speedometer or to exhale, the M5 was at 75 mph. I couldn’t flirt with the highest pace of 155 mph, however BMW’s 0-60 mph time of three.4 seconds felt conservative. That twin-turbo V-8 is so rattling visceral and so rattling good, even by all of the sound deadening so there’s actually no want for the augmented sound by the audio system. Including no less than 1,150 kilos, or about 23% extra physique mass due partially to the usable 14.8-kwh battery pack, can weigh you down. 

Good factor for the large 16.1-inch rotors and 6-piston brake calipers up entrance—painted pink on the tester as a substitute of ordinary blue—and 15.7-inch rear rotors with single-piston floating calipers. Carbon ceramic brakes are non-compulsory and minimize 55 kilos however add $8,500. In case you’re monitoring it recurrently, I think about it’s value it. On run after run, the brakes grabbed with out hesitation or pulsing, and every flip I went deeper down this closed off entry street than within the earlier trial. 

2025 M5: Studying the M Hybrid powertrain settings and M Mode drive modes

The outgoing M5 Competitors and its 627-hp V-8 did it in an estimated 3.1 seconds. There are pure EVs which can be faster, too, with a better intestine thrust. The brand new M5 has a wider unfold in its efficiency and luxury settings than its predecessor. Then there are the effectivity positive aspects that allow BMW to nonetheless produce a V-8 efficiency sedan for a worldwide market. 

The M5 defaults to Hybrid setting on startup, and if it’s in both of the Sport modes the 4.4-liter V-8 asserts its dominance within the M Hybrid powertrain pairing. The Consolation, Sport, Sport Plus drive modes are designated by an M Mode button. In Consolation mode, the electrical motor guidelines by itself, except you prod the throttle. It’s able to operating its full 25-mile vary, or change the M Hybrid setting to Electrical for full emission-free driving till the battery runs out. Whereas cruising on electrical energy, shifts from the 8-speed computerized transmission might shock electrical car drivers, however I favored its constant character all through the drive wheel setting. 

An eControl setting acts as a battery saver, counting on engine energy alone. 

There’s loads of tire noise whereas operating electrical however even at cruising speeds, the M5 is well-insulated from the street. Its impartial multi-link entrance and rear suspension makes use of metal springs and adaptive dampers that mute the street presence much more in Consolation mode. The modes give it the twin nature of a regal grand tourer regardless of its efficiency spine. 

Sport stiffens it, after all, and the additional bracing and reinforcements over the 5-Collection turn out to be apparent. Over potholes or railroad grades, it jittered reproachfully, so play with the settings purposefully. 

It’s finest to play with the console-mounted powertrain settings and drive modes to study your required preferences on the go. Then when parked, create a driver profile that most accurately fits you by making a deep dive into the 14.9-inch touchscreen. There, you may regulate the drive system, transmission shifts, suspension settings, steering really feel, and regenerative brake settings in three ranges. I would favor a scorching button for regen settings, however you may set your individual profile for these settings to be accessed by the M1 button on the steering wheel. 

On winding roads pitched by truck use, the suspension counteracted the uneven grades, and the low, planted really feel made me wish to push it at larger speeds on the extra accessible state highways. 

I appreciated the variable-ratio steering in these larger pace sections, the place the chunky steering wheel had some heavy resistance leading to sharp turns, aided by rear-axle steering. It solely turns in-phase by 1.5 levels, so there was no fear about oversteering or wrapping a curve too tightly. It’s a welcome, invisible helper. At cruising speeds, and in Consolation mode, the steering turned an virtually non-entity, the street a distant suggestion.

2025 BMW M5

2025 BMW M5

2025 BMW M5

2025 BMW M5

2025 M5 specs and value

Just like the 5-Collection redesigned for 2025, the M5 measures 200.6 inches lengthy—a couple of foot shorter than the 7-Collection—with a beneficiant wheelbase of 118.3 inches. These are will increase of 4.2 inches in size and practically an inch longer wheelbase than the 2023 M5, so the cabin is barely roomier and might match 4 adults high quality. It’s additionally 2.7 inches wider and greater than an inch taller. 

The 2025 BMW M5 is available in one configuration beginning at $120,675, with a $1,175 vacation spot charge, however the M5 Touring wagon cuts a lovely form and has crossover cargo house for $122,675. I solely took the Touring on a guided loop, so can’t converse to the dynamic variations from the sedan. For these quantities, BMW permits you to select from most exterior colours and inside trims in addition to three wheel and tire combos for no further cost. 

Including adaptive cruise management with restricted hands-free driving prices $1,700, which seems like a rip-off, since most mainstream vehicles just like the Toyota RAV4 have adaptive cruise management as commonplace. 

Despite the fact that the EPA hasn’t licensed it and BMW’s not mentioning it, the M5 advances BMW’s efficiency portfolio for the electrical age, making it extra related—and attainable—than if it have been powered by a V-8 alone. It appeals to a broader sort of driver and in a broader spectrum of driving conditions, even looping round industrial roads.  

BMW flew and housed Motor Authority to a model overview that included drive alternatives within the M5.