2025 BMW M5 Embraces Hybrid Power With 717 HP, But Is Slower Than Previous Gen

The all-new 2025 BMW M5 is here, with more power than ever before. The big news, and this is crucial to fans of the BMW M series, is that the boss-hog of the super sedan world has finally embraced electrification. It’s a move that is perhaps even more significant than when the model ditched its rear-wheel drive-only layout for all-wheel exploits, and is sure to divide fans — especially when they hear how much all this weighs.

In truth, a hybrid M5 has been on the cards for some time now and was somewhat of an inevitability. What BMW didn’t have to do (and, indeed, what Mercedes may not do with the next-gen E63) was stick with a roaring V8. You’ll be pleased to find out that not only has the M5 retained a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 powerplant, but the combined power results in a very healthy 717 hp (727 PS / 535 kW) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque.

Read: E39 BMW M5 In Mint Condition Is Tempting, But Is It Worth More Than A New M3?

The output of the combustion engine alone is actually a smidge under the outgoing car’s 600 hp, albeit without the aid of an electric motor. In it’s newest form, the seventh-generation M5’s ICE half of the drivetrain produces 577 hp (569 bhp / 424 kW) between 5,600–6,500 rpm and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque available from as low down in the rev range as 1,800 rpm.

The engine is essentially the same S68 engine that appears in the M-range’s flagship XM super-SUV but in a different state of tune. In fact, there are many similarities between the XM and the new M5’s drivetrain, with the electric motor adding 194 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque to both vehicles’ overall output.

Heavy Lifting

One of the similarities between the new M5 and the flagship XM is that both cars are unable to hide their porkiness. Going on a diet of hybrid batteries and electric motors has done nothing but pile on the pounds for the M5. Whereas the outgoing M5 sedan has a curb weight of 4,345 lbs (1,971 kg), the incoming 2025 M5 weighs a whopping 5,390 lbs (2,445 kg).

That’s a 24 percent increase in heft between the models. Yes, luxury-oriented performance models, like the M5, do tend to get heavier as the years go by. However, when it came time to switch from the 2012 M5 F10’s rear-wheel drive platform to the 2017 F90’s all-wheel drive system, the newer car was actually lighter thanks to extensive weight-saving measures incorporated to offset the new drivetrain.

The added heft may explain why, even with 16 percent more power, the 2025 BMW M5 is actually slower than the outgoing M5 to 60 mph (96 km/h). Yes, we’re splitting hairs, but the F90 M5 was able to do the sprint in 3.2 seconds, while the new 2025 G90 M5 will take a smidge longer at 3.4 seconds.

For the record, the F90-generation 617 HP M5 Competition accelerated even faster, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds, while the 627 HP M5 CS further reduced the time to 2.9 seconds.

Top speed remains unchanged, limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) or 190 mph (306 km/h) with the M Driver’s package.

The Hybrid Story

So what exactly is the hybrid system good for, if not for improving outright acceleration or top speed? Well, BMW estimates the M5 will be able to travel in a zero-emission electric-only mode of 25 miles (40 km). That doesn’t sound like a lot because, in truth, it isn’t. Perhaps enough to pop to the shops for some milk.

Of course, BMW M5s are more than just about how fast they go in a straight line. Their drivetrains have been famous for offering pliable power that can be bent to the will of the driver. The V8 engine is described as having a high-revving nature, while the electrification element will provide consistent power across the rev range.

It’s all managed by an eight-speed “M Steptronic” gearbox, while a patented pre-gearing stage between the electric motor’s rotor and the automatic transmission’s input shaft increases the motor’s actual 207 lb-ft (281 Nm) output to 332 lb-ft (450 Nm).

BMW has also introduced a new “Boost Control” system. Pull back and hold on the left paddle shifter, and you’ll set all the car’s systems into their most racy settings. This allows instantaneous responses without having to commit to the mental juggle of fiddling through sports mode settings.

All Wheel Drive Is Here To Stay

Like the car before it, the new 2025 M5 features all-wheel drive. The default setting sends power to all four wheels, but if you want to do some classic M-car drifting antics, you can either select a rear-biased all-wheel drive setting or, if you’ve got your big boy pants on, lock off front drive altogether for some classic RWD shenanigans.

See Also: New BMW M5 Touring Confirmed For USA

When it comes to the all-wheel drive system, in addition to torque being split between axles, the Active M Differential can also manage power distribution between the left and rear sets of wheels. Depending on what the car’s brain thinks is the best course of action, the M5 can send power to one individual wheel to counteract the effects of understeer.

As expected with the M5, there are plenty of nerdy model-specific details under the skin that have been altered to improve their flagship performance sedan. For example, the engine and transmission mounts are model-specific, and the suspension has been completely redesigned compared to the conventional models’. The front double-wishbone setup sees lighter-weight aluminum components to reduce unsprung mass (every little helps at this point), with new track control arms, camber control arms, and guide arms for the rear suspension system.

Looks: Could Be Worse

We’ve come this far without touching on the styling. And well, while the looks aren’t quite as shock and awe as we’ve come to expect from BMW, you’d struggle to call the new M5 “pretty.”

Not content with the BMW kidneys, the grille now features an “enclosed” gloss black design, with the center housing the many driver assistance systems. It almost looks like an EV, and we wonder if this is BMW’s way of getting us used to the blurred lines of design. Of course, the grille surround can be illuminated — because why not? — and you’ll find a single bar that runs horizontally across the grille with the M5 model designation.

The M5 features wider arches, with the front wheels 3 inches wider than the standard car and the rear ones 1.9 inches wider. The wheels are staggered in both width and diameter, with the 2025 M5 featuring 20-inch front and 21-inch rear rims. The wheels are wrapped in 285/40 ZR20 front and 295/35 ZR21 rear performance tires, while there are three wheel designs on offer.

You’ll notice some impressive dustbin-lid-size brake discs behind the wheels. No kidding — at 16 inches up front and 15.7 inches in the rear, they’re larger than the wheels that come on many budget cars. You get six-piston calipers up front and a floating single-piston caliper for the rear.

If you want to engage in an exercise of futility save weight, you can opt for M Carbon ceramic brakes, which will shave 55 lbs (1% of the car’s curb weight). They’ll also do the usual stuff, like resist fade better, and even come with gold-painted calipers.

Behind the front wheel arches are functional vents that form part of the car’s cooling system, directing airflow to two auxiliary remote radiators. The rear gets an M rear spoiler and M twin black chrome tailpipes. You’ll also notice the aerodynamic mirrors and an M5 badge installed on the D-pilar.

A New Steering Wheel and Interior Lighting

Unlike the M2, there won’t be any fancy carbon seat options on offer for the new M5. Instead, you get the M Multifuction seats which are billed as a balance between long-distance comfort and on-track support.

There are several color options for the interior upholstery, but BMW’s pick of the litter is the new for 2025 is the BMW Individual Full Merino Metallic leather package. The effect is supposed to be quite stunning, with black/dark violet bi-color and taupe grey/deep lagoon pearl Effect bi-colors being displayed in the leather itself — particularly for the headrest and and shoulder areas of the seats.

There’s a new steering wheel design, with heating now as standard and (probably) not behind a paywall. There’s also M5-specific interior lighting and a standard Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, heads-up display, and the car’s Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof. Fans of lightweight roofs can also spec the top in carbon to save 66 lbs.

Finally, there’s BMW’s Operating System 8.5. The main thrust of this OS has been to further remove physical buttons from the cabin of cars, which we’re not fans of. The curved display is home to some M-specific graphics icons and is made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a larger 14.9-inch control display.

How much will it cost?

The 2025 BMW M5 will make its worldwide debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month. Production will also start at the company’s Dingolfing plant in July. Pricing will start with a base MSRP of $119,500 plus $1,175 destination and handling, a 16 percent increase over the 2018 M5’s launch price of $102,600.