MUNICH: The seventh model generation BMW M5 high-performance sedan now has an electrified drive system for the first time.
The combination of a high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor, plus power transfer courtesy of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive, enables acceleration of 0 to 100kp (62mph) in 3.5 seconds.
The M HYBRID drive system in the new BMW M5 brings a 4.4-litre V8 engine with classical high-revving character together with an electric motor.
The combustion engine develops maximum output of 430kW/585hp and peak torque of 750Nm.
The maximum output of the electric motor is 145 kW/197 hp. It has nominal torque of 280Nm, but a pre-gearing stage allows effective torque at the transmission input to be increased to 450Nm.
The eight-cylinder engine can spin to a maximum 7,200 rpm.
Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) as standard, but the limiter can be raised to 305 km/h (189 mph) if the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.
The sports exhaust system of the new BMW M5 features electrically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and the two pairs of dual tailpipes familiar from other M models, each with 100-millimetre trims in Black Chrome.
Providing an acoustic accompaniment to the power delivery of the electric motor is BMW IconicSounds Electric.
This M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic responses to movements of the accelerator when the car is operating in all-electric mode.
With the relevant drive system configuration, it also generates an engaging track to highlight the arrival of extra electric power on top of the output from the V8 engine.
In all-electric operating mode, the new BMW M5 can hit speeds of up to 140kph (87mph).
The high-voltage battery located low in the car’s underbody has 18.6 kWh of usable energy, enabling an electric range of 67 – 69kms (42 – 43 miles) in the WLTP cycle, which is unmatched by any rival.
The Combined Charging Unit of the new BMW M5 allows AC charging at up to 7.4kW.
The power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode.
However, the driver can also select 2WD mode. This sends drive exclusively to the rear wheels with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system switched off.
This further developed iteration of M xDrive – like the electronically controlled Active M Differential at the rear axle – is tailored specially to the performance characteristics of the M HYBRID drive system.
The chassis design of the new BMW M5 comprises a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle.
Also fitted as standard are adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering, which steers the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees.
Standard specification for the new BMW M5 brings features such as front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, the Attentiveness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system.
The Launch Control function is available in all the M Setup menu settings with the exception of the M xDrive system’s 2WD mode.
The new M Hybrid button allows the driver to choose between HYBRID mode – for intelligently controlled interplay between the combustion engine and electric motor to maximise either efficiency or performance, depending on the driving situation – and the ELECTRIC setting, in which the combustion engine is only brought into play by accelerator kickdown or using the gearshift paddles.
eCONTROL mode is used for effective brake energy recuperation and maintaining battery charge at a constant level.
The world premiere of the new BMW M5 will take place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England in July 2024, with production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing beginning the same month.
The worldwide market launch of the new BMW M5 will start in November 2024 and be accompanied by the introduction of the new BMW M5 Touring at the same time.
The most important sales regions for the high-performance sedan are North America and Europe.
The USA is the single biggest individual market by some distance, followed by Great Britain, Germany, South Korea, China, Japan and Canada.
