2025 BMW M5 First Look

The M5 is now a plug-in hybrid that delivers 717 horsepower and up to 25 miles of electric range.

Drew Johnson | 

Jun 27, 2024 | 6 min read

BMW

The BMW M5 has always been a performance sedan. But for 2025, BMW has transformed the M5 into a hybrid performance sedan. The result of the gas-electric mashup is an M5 that's not only the most powerful in the line's history, but also the first M5 that can travel short distances with no tailpipe emissions at all.

BMW

2025 BMW M5 Embraces Hybrid Tech to Boost Performance and Reduce Emissions

The big news for 2025 is that the seventh-generation M5 has gone hybrid. Specifically, it's a plug-in hybrid, with a 7.4 kW lithium-ion battery and a single electric motor that's capable of powering the M5 for up to 25 miles of gas-free driving.

But it's an M5, after all, so that hybrid tech isn't exclusively used for efficiency. The M5's electric motor, which is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, is used to supplement the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. BMW says total system output stands at a staggering 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, making the 627 horsepower offered by the last-gen model look practically paltry.

On its own, the V8 under the hood of the new M5 is good for 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor contributes an additional 194 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque to overall system output. There's also an overboost function that can increase the torque for the electric motor to 332 lb-ft for brief periods.

In order to keep that power in check, the M5 is fitted with M xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). With all four wheels clawing the pavement and the aid of a standard electronic rear differential, the 2025 M5 can zip from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Quick as that might be, it's still slower than the previous generation M5, which made the same sprint in 3.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but that can be lifted to 190 mph with the selection of the optional M Driver's Package.

Being a BMW Motorsport model, the M5 has to handle just as well as it goes in a straight line. The new M5 features a strengthened chassis for greater rigidity and an Adaptive M suspension system that can adjust damping for individual wheels in milliseconds. The M5 also has four-wheel steering that can turn the rear wheels up to 1.5 degrees for greater maneuverability at both low and highway speeds.

Standard braking consists of six-piston calipers over 16.1-inch discs at the front and single-piston calipers clamping 15.7-inch discs at the rear. Optional M Carbon brakes reduce unsprung weight by 55 pounds and include larger 16.5-inch front discs.

BMW

All of that high-performance hardware is backed by high-tech software. The M5 offers up to five driving modes, three settings for its AWD system, and driver-selectable settings for the drive system, transmission, suspension, and brakes.

Standard drive modes include Hybrid, Electric, and eControl. The first two modes do exactly what their name implies, while eControl can either maintain or increase the battery's state of charge, with the idea being that you can travel the last few miles of your journey on electric power alone.

Those who opt for the M Drive Professional package gain access to two additional drive modes: Dynamic and Dynamic Plus. Dynamic mode balances power and cooling, both for the engine and battery, ensuring you can go lap after lap without any noticeable power degradation. Dynamic Plus, meanwhile, gives you full system power, but only for a short period of time.

The M5's AWD system settings are similar to the previous generation. In addition to the standard setting, you can flip the dial to a rear-wheel-biased AWD or switch off the system altogether, turning the M5 into a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

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The New M5 Is a Tougher-Looking 5 Series

The M5 looks like a 5 Series that's spent a lot of time in the gym. It's wider than the 5 Series on which it is based; a necessary adjustment to accommodate bulging fender flares that cover the M5's staggered wheels, which measure 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the back.

BMW's iconic kidney grilles and twin headlights remain, albeit with finishes unique to the M5 model. A more aggressive front bumper includes additional air inlets to maximize cooling. At the rear, you'll find a race-inspired diffuser with integrated quad exhaust pipes — an M Division signature.

M5 buyers will have 10 exterior colors, including the M-specific hues of Isle of Man Green metallic and matte Frozen Deep Gray metallic. BMW Individual paint colors will also be available from launch.

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A Cabin That Blends Luxury and Sport

As with the exterior, the interior of the M5 is largely borrowed from the normal 5 Series, but there are plenty of M design cues throughout. The three-spoke steering wheel, for example, is bespoke to the M5 and features a flat bottom, programmable M buttons, and a red center mark at the 12 o'clock position. Look closely at the left paddle shifter in M Drive Professional-equipped cars, and you'll notice something else unique to the M5: the word boost. Pulling that paddle shifter for more than a second switches the powertrain and chassis systems to their most aggressive setting for immediate responsiveness.

M multifunction seats are fitted as standard and provide extra bolstering to help keep passengers in place. Extended Merino Leather upholstery is the default, and, for the first time, buyers can also select an available BMW Individual Full Merino Metallic Leather. Set to join the options list in early 2025, the uniquely finished leather will be available in Black/Dark Violet bi-color and Taupe Gray/Deep Lagoon Pearl Effect bi-color.

Other M-specific upgrades include tri-color ambient lighting and head-up display graphics.

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Technology Abounds

Slip behind the tri-color-stitched wheel of the M5 and you're greeted with a curved screen that wraps around the cockpit. That display includes a 12.3-inch digital readout for the gauges as well as a 14.9-inch touchscreen for vehicle functions and infotainment.

Redundant iDrive controls can be found on the center console, and the M5 is equipped with the voice-activated BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are also included.

Standard equipment includes an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system and a panoramic sunroof that spans most of the cabin. An M Carbon roof can also be specified, which replaces the sunroof with a fixed carbon-fiber panel that reduces weight by more than 66 pounds. Opting for the carbon roof requires checking the box for the M Carbon package, which also includes a carbon-fiber rear spoiler and mirror caps.

The 2025 M5 comes from the factory with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and safety aids, including the company's Driver Assistant Professional tech that allows for short hands-off stints.

The 2025 BMW M5 Is Arriving This Fall With a Six-Figure Price

The 2025 BMW M5 will have a base price of about $121,000, including destination. Production of the new M5 is scheduled to begin in July 2024, with the first deliveries slated for November.