What do you do if you like the BMW M3, but want or need more practicality? Well, if you’re a BMW fan, you’ll probably go a size bigger and look at the M5 super saloon. And as luck would have it, following on from the launch of the Business Car Award-winning G60-generation of the i5/5 Series, we’ve got an all-new performance range-topper based on the same car.
Seven generations in, and on top of being a performance icon, the BMW M5 has also been an innovator, with previous generations boasting engines up to V10 configuration, then turbocharged, and more recently with added four-wheel drive. The latest G60 M5 moves the innovation on significantly, as it’s now a plug-in hybrid, which marries up nicely to the more mainstream 5 Series range powertrains, with a choice of petrol, petrol hybrid, and pure electric options.
This M5’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain features the same 195hp electric motor and 22.1kWh underfloor battery that are fitted to the lesser 550e xDrive. However, here they are mated to a heavily revised 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine from the old car, and the result is an incredible 718hp!
It is not just the drivetrain that differs from the standard 5 Series. The M5 uses extra chassis and axle bracing under the bonnet, around the front axle, and around the rear axle, to deal with the mass and load that over 700hp and the model’s 2,435kg weight generate.
On top of being the first M5 plug-in, this is also the first M5 to be fitted with Integral Active four-wheel steering.
Design and interior
Outside, its lit big nostril nose looks familiar, but the M5 has a new front air dam with large cooling apertures and brake cooling vents, blistered arches which swell the width at the most by 75mm at the front, with deeper side sills to match, and staggered 21in and 22in alloy wheels. Move to the back, and there’s a new rear diffuser, staggered quad exhausts, and a small rear spoiler. Plus, specific M-Power mirrors, and other carbon trim features. Like the standard 5, it’s distinctive rather than attractive. However, there’s just something so special about a proper ‘M’ car, as in our opinion, it adds another level of coolness – especially in the Isle of Man green finish of our test car.
Although, we’d probably choose the more practical, and only just slower, Touring estate version that’s also available.
Inside, the M5 gets the same interior, which we think is BMW’s best yet, as the standard 5. The latest curved infotainment display – made up of two screens – sits on top of the dashboard. The first display is for the instruments and measures 12.3in, while the other for the infotainment measures 14.9in. The dashboard also features an ‘Interaction Bar’, just like the 7 Series, which looks like cut glass, but below it in our car was optional carbon trim (£400) to remind you you’re driving a proper M car. Like the i5, the 5 Series’ wheelbase has been increased by 20mm to 2,995 and the extra space is most obvious in the back. Boot space is still decent at 530 litres.
The driving position is excellent, although the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is too thickly trimmed in our opinion. Plus, there are standard, more supportive sports seats, made even more distinctive in our test car as they were trimmed in appealing, eye-catching two-tone Kyalami orange leather, an option at £500.
Performance and drive
We’ve talked about the M5’s drivetrain, and as you’d expect its performance is equally electrifying (excuse the pun!). Headline figures are the 718hp and 750Nm of torque. Considering its weight, the M5’s 3.5-second acceleration to 62mph is ridiculous, but believable. Top speed is usually limited to 155mph, but if you choose the £2,200 M Driver’s Pack, the limiter is lifted and an even more licence-losing 177mph top speed is the result. Considering all this performance, it’s even more remarkable that it can travel on electric power, in EV mode, for up to 42 miles!
To activate EV power there’s an EV-only mode, which goes along with e-control to manage and even charge the battery, and a hybrid mode to give maximum fuel economy. However, if you have the optional M Driver’s package, (which our test car did!) there are two more, Dynamic and Dynamic Plus, that from what we could tell, work with the EV battery to make this M5 even more responsive!
That’s not the end of the drive modes, as there are three more: Road, Sport and Track. More interesting and involving, is that these are tuneable, and can be saved to the pair of ‘M’ buttons on the steering wheel. Our only caveat is that with the ability to tune many of the M5’s handling and drive settings, we felt we needed more time than a week with the car to find our favourite set-ups!
On the road, it’s the acceleration, torque, and V8 soundtrack that impresses first. The engine note sounds slightly engineered, but it’s realistic and is a wonderful opposite to the silence of EVs. The M5 is as easy to drive as a standard 5 Series – especially at low speed and surprisingly comfortable in Road mode. Track mode is, as it says, more suited to the track, and we found ourselves alternating between Road and Sport. It is the same story on the motorway, where the automatic gearbox is swift to react. It is not always perfect, but we guarantee you’ll be watching your speed more than worrying about what gear you’re in.
It is on A and B roads where the M5 comes alive, where it is almost too fast with the performance on tap. But it’s not just the power that excites, it’s the body control, steering precision, and composure – especially in Sport mode. Despite all the performance, what we liked more is how useable and practical this performance BMW is in everyday life.
The latest M5 is bigger and heavier than before, but we have to say we didn’t notice thanks to the impressive work and dedication of BMW’s engineers. It is very expensive (our test car was over £115,000 with options), but what other 700+hp super saloon can travel up to 42 miles on EV power alone, with a 3.5 second 0-62mph acceleration figure, and has a 9% BIK figure!
Positive: Low tax considering the performance, great all-rounder, Touring body choice, keen drive, performance
Negative: Expensive, big and heavy – but you don’t feel it behind the wheel, could the interior feel more special?
Standard equipment: 21/22in alloy wheels, Merino leather upholstery, BMW Curved Display with Operating System 8.5, four-zone climate control, heated front sports seats, ambient lighting with M-specific features, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, comfort access, power boot.
Engines: Plug-in hybrid: 718hp
Equipment grades: M5
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
| Model | BMW M5 |
| P11D | £111,440 |
| Residual value | 36% |
| Depreciation | £71,749 |
| Fuel | £5,521 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £6,240 |
| Cost per mile | 139p |
| Fuel consumption | 188.3mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 35g/km (9%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £167/£334 |
| Luggage capacity | 530 litres |
| Engine size/power | 4,395cc + electric motor/718hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
