This all-new BMW M5 packs 727 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque from its twin-turbo V8 PHEV powertrain.
BMW Malaysia recently held its BMW World event, where the star of the show was undoubtedly the all-new M5. Launching locally about a year since its international debut, this latest and greatest iteration of the Bavarian automaker’s sports sedan could be yours for the princely sum of RM 1,247,900 (or RM 1,188,000 without the extended warranty and service package).
Now for those who have been living under a rock for the past year, the big news is that the newest flagship performance BMW 5-Series has gone PHEV. What should please true petrolheads, however, is that this latest 7th-generation M5 still nevertheless packs a proper 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, which is capable of revving to 7,200 rpm while delivering 577 hp in the process.
And thanks to an electric motor sandwiched between the V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission too, this latest PHEV M5 is quoted in being capable of sending a whopping 727 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque to all four wheels. These figures easily make this flagship performance 5-Series the most powerful ever produced…at least until the inevitable hardcore special editions arrive sometime in the future.
Interestingly though, despite its 16% power bump over the previous iteration, the latest electrified BMW sports sedan is to be fractionally slower than its predecessor to 96 km/h). The prior F90 iteration managed the 0-96 km/h sprint in a claimed 3.2 seconds, with the CS variant knocking that down further into the sub-3.0s, but this “most powerful M5 ever” currently claims a 3.5-second time.
This relative slowness off the line likely has much to do with the latest electrified M5 tipping the scales at a whopping 2,445 kg, which for context, is about 270 kg more than the battery-laden Tesla Model S Plaid, and almost the same as a Rolls-Royce Phantom. In BMW’s defence of what is admittedly indefensible however, it’s worth noting that flagship performance 5-Series models were historically never featherweights to begin with (2 tonnes was already the norm since the V10-engined E60 M5 from three generations prior).
Handily, despite its heft, the latest M5 does still have what it takes to go round corners like any M car should. This latest hot 5-er has been graced with its own bespoke five-link rear axle constructed from strengthened components designed to handle higher G-loading. Custom hubs are found on its lightweight aluminium double-wishbone front axle as well, with this sports sedan gaining extra bracing to further stiffen its chassis.
Naturally, the M5 also comes with Adaptive M suspension featuring electronically-configurable dampers. Drivers can choose between up to five different drive mode configurations with this new M5, ranging from Comfort (for when just a regular 5-Series experience will do) to Dynamic Plus, where power is sent solely to the rear wheels and fully unlocks the M5’s track-slaying or sideways-skidding potential.
Other noteworthy performance-enhancing technologies included with this M5 is the debut of an active rear steering system that turns up to 1.5° for more agile cornering, while its Active M Differential can send power to individual wheels to further counteract the effects of understeer. BMW has introduced a new “Boost Control” system as well, which, upon pulling back and holding the left paddle shifter, automatically sets all the car’s systems into their most aggressive settings.
As for those considering the M5 as an eco-commuter car on the other hand, it’s worth noting that its underfloor 18.6 kWh lithium-ion battery could provide up to 69 km of EV-only WLTP range (and at speeds of up to 140 km/h). Charge it at the maximum 11 kW AC rate and full capacity can be reached in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Design-wise, the M5 follows other M-badged cars by featuring kidney grilles that are blanked-off black items with an optionally illuminated surround. This sporty BMW sedan also features a set of flared arches, which house a staggered set of alloy wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the rear.
And while the traditional front fender vents on prior M5s have been replaced (on the left side at least) by a charging port, this latest iteration of the BMW sports sedan this latest iteration of BMW sports sedan still is to net a set of aero mirrors (constructed from carbon fibre) down its side. Other reminders down the side to this being the sportiest 5-er out there comes from the M5 logo embossed into the D-pillar trim that makes up the Hofmeister kink and a carbon roof, with its rear topped off by a subtle carbon lip spoiler and quad exhaust tips.
Finally moving on within, the G90 M5 features an exclusive sporty steering wheel and carbon fibre trim with high-gloss silver threads, M seat belts to complement its powered M seats with lumbar support and memory functions, a wireless phone charger, 18 Bowers & Wilkins speakers and anthracite-coloured Alcantara headlining. Its twin-screen layout (12.3-inch instrument panel plus 14.9-inch centre touchscreen) running BMW’s iDrive 8.5 operating system comes with M-specific displays and interior ambient lighting, with a heads-up display being standard on this sports sedan.
Exterior colour options officially available for the M5 locally include Alpine White, Sophisto Grey, Fire Red, Brooklyn Grey, Carbon Black, Isle of Man Green, Marina Bay Blue, and Storm Bay, while interior options are available in Black, Silverstone, Red, or Kyalami Orange.
