FIRST LOOK: New 717bhp BMW M5 – The Boss is Back… But Hybrid

Summary

The new BMW M5 plug-in hybrid is reviewed, featuring a slightly less powerful V8 engine complemented by an electric motor for a total of 700 horsepower. Despite weighing 2.4 tons, the car offers impressive speed and handling, with a range of customizable settings for driving preferences. The interior is packed with technology but lacks some physical buttons, requiring drivers to navigate through extensive menus. While the M5's performance is commendable, its complexity and heft may overshadow the traditional driving experience.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The new M5 is a plug-in hybrid with a V8 engine and an electric motor, making it a 700-hp car overall.
• 🔋 It has an 18.6 kWh battery that provides up to 43 miles of electric range and can run up to 87 mph on battery power alone.
• 🏎 Despite being a hybrid, the M5 is still focused on performance, with a top speed limited to either 155 or 189 mph depending on options.
• 📈 The car's weight has increased to 2.4 tons (2,430 kilos) due to the hybrid system components and additional features.
• 🌿 The M5's CO2 emissions are officially less than 40 g/km, making it more environmentally friendly on paper.
• 🛠️ BMW considered full EV and other hybrid setups but chose a plug-in hybrid for its balance of performance and practicality.
• 🏁 The car's performance on the track was impressive, with the hybrid system providing a good balance of power and handling.
• 🎛️ There are numerous settings and modes available for drivers to customize their driving experience, including different levels of steering weight and throttle response.
• 💺 The interior is high-tech with a minimalist design, but some traditional buttons have been replaced with menu options, which may be overwhelming for some drivers.
• 🔄 The M5 has a variety of driving modes, including fully electric, hybrid, dynamic, and dynamic plus, allowing drivers to choose how they want to use the electric motor.
• 🚀 The car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, which is slightly slower than the previous M5 competition model, likely due to the increased weight.

Q & A

What is the new M5's powertrain configuration?

The new M5 is a plug-in hybrid with a slightly less powerful V8 engine combined with an electric motor in the gearbox, making it a 700 horsepower car overall.

What is the significance of the M5 being a plug-in hybrid?

The plug-in hybrid system allows for better CO2 emissions on paper and in real-world scenarios, providing the ability to drive quietly in electric mode without disturbing the neighborhood.

How does the new M5's horsepower compare to the previous model?

The new M5 has 700 horsepower, which is achieved by combining the power of a V8 engine with an electric motor, but it's slightly less powerful than the old V8 on its own.

What are some of the exterior design changes on the new M5?

The new M5 features aggressive cooling, illuminated kidney grills, a large M5 badge, angular front bumpers, and a wider track with pumped stance. It also has 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch at the back, creating a staggered look.

What options are available for customization in terms of carbon fiber on the new M5?

Customers can opt for carbon fiber mirrors, a carbon fiber roof, or choose between a sunroof and a standard roof.

What is the expected range of the new M5 when running on electric power alone?

The new M5 claims to have an electric range of 43 miles, and it can run up to 87 mph on battery power alone.

How does the new M5's weight compare to its predecessor?

The new M5 weighs 2,430 kilos, which is heavier than the previous model due to the addition of a hybrid system and other features.

What is the purpose of the M hybrid menu in the new M5?

The M hybrid menu allows drivers to choose different settings for how the car uses its electric motor, including fully electric mode, EC control for maintaining charge, and hybrid settings for dynamic performance.

Why did BMW decide not to make the new M5 a full EV?

BMW decided against a full EV for the M5 because it wouldn't have had the sustained track performance and long-distance ability that M5 customers expect.

What is the new M5's 0 to 62 mph acceleration time?

The new M5 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than the old M5 competition.

What are some of the interior features that have been changed or removed in the new M5?

The new M5 has a more minimalist interior with fewer physical buttons, moving many settings into a touch screen menu. The sports exhaust button and the rocker switch for gear shift verocity have been removed.

Why can't American customers shift gears on the stick in the new M5?

In the new M5, the gear stick is no longer used for shifting gears; it's now a switch. This change may disappoint some American customers who prefer the traditional gear stick shifting.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the new M5's steering feel?

The reviewer finds the steering a bit too light even in sport mode and feels that the car might be trying too hard to disguise its weight through the steering settings.

What is the reviewer's first impression of the new M5's performance on the track?

Despite its weight, the new M5 is very fast and agile on the track, with a good balance of power and handling, although the reviewer notes that it might be too complicated for some drivers due to its many settings and menus.

What is the reviewer's concern regarding the new M5's configurability?

The reviewer is concerned that the vast array of settings and configurability might have come at the expense of simplicity and the immediate gratification of just jumping in and enjoying the car.