The new BMW M5 is getting closer, and it has been seen being tested a few times now. Carwow has used these images to create a new sports sedan, and it could use the same 748hp hybrid setup as the XM Label Red. Read on for everything you need to know.
The new BMW M5 rendered by carwow
Seventh generation super saloon
M5 Touring confirmed, revealed 2024, last appeared in 2010
A plug-in hybrid V8 from an XM SUV is a possibility
748hp and 1,000NM on the cards
Set to arrive in 2024
The new BMW M5 is coming in 2024, and this alternative to cars like the Mercedes-AMG E63 and Audi RS6 has already been seen being tested a few times. Carwow has taken this shot of a camouflaged spy and used it to render the next M5.
This will be the first M5 to use a plug-in hybrid engine, likely to be shared with the BMW XM SUV. It could produce up to 748hp, and a future CS version with more power could also be on the cards.
The new BMW M5 has been spotted testing a few times now, and the carwow team has taken these camouflaged spy shots and used them to create a new sports sedan.
As you might expect, the basic shape is essentially the same as the BMW 5 Series and i5, meaning it has been spared the large vertical grille of the BMW M3 and M4. The grille will be given an M makeover, possibly with a honeycomb design.
The front bumper has also been completely redesigned. You can see the huge air intake below the kidney grille with two vertical bars in the middle. There are more air intakes under the headlights to cool the brakes, as well as a new front splitter for added downforce.
The wheel arches on the new M5 are also wider, as on the new BMW M2 with a bodykit inspired by retro touring cars. You also get new massive wheels with sticky performance tires, as well as a lowered suspension.
The rear is also very different to the standard 5 Series. There's a large rear diffuser and a lip spoiler on the trunk lid to improve airflow over the car. And you can't have a proper M car without four big exhausts, right?
New BMW M5 Tour
BMW has also confirmed that it will finally revive the M5 Touring with this new generation, something we haven't seen since the V10-powered E61 version of the mid-2000s.
It's only shown under the hood for now, but you can expect it to retain the same saloon front-end design. You can also tell from this side shot that it will have a sloping roofline similar to the current BMW 5 Series Touring. You can also see the large quad exhaust pipes at the rear, as well as some sleek LED taillights.
The new BMW M5 plug-in hybrid engine
The new BMW M5 will use a plug-in hybrid for the first time. However, don't reach for the pitchforks just yet, this will have benefits beyond lowering emissions.
There's no danger of BMW copying Mercedes and using a four-cylinder engine too. The new BMW M5 will use the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 as the BMW XM SUV, and will likely use that car's 197hp electric motor as well.
The problem with using a hybrid system like this is that it adds a lot of weight, so the new M5 would have to have a lot of power to offer a significant performance increase over the current car. The 653hp of the standard BMW
BMW could also give the new M5 a smaller battery than the XM to save weight. The XM has a 25.7kWh battery, giving it a range of 50 miles. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E-Performance has a tiny 6kWh battery with a range of just seven miles, so BMW can go down this road with the new M5.
That's a good starting point for the new BMW M5, but there could also be more horsepower versions of the Competition and CS in the future. Imagine this hybrid setup, but replace the Red Label's engine with the 635hp V8 from the current BMW M5 CS. It can produce more than 830hp.
New BMW M5 interior and infotainment
The interior of the new BMW M5 hasn't been revealed yet, but you can expect it to have the same design as the 5 Series and i5, only livened up a bit with some M goodies.
i5 M60 is a good starting point. It has a sporty steering wheel with a red center marker, as well as lots of carbon fiber trim. The M5 could also get the same carbon fiber bucket seats as the current BMW M3 and M4.
Price and release date of the new BMW M5
The BMW M5 could be revealed towards the end of the year, with the cars due to hit UK roads in 2024. Price wise, it doesn't look cheap. The most powerful 5 Series you can get right now is the i5 M60, and that car costs £98,000.
If the new M5 borrows parts from XM, you can expect it to cost between £100,000 and £150,000, and that's just the start. If BMW did make a Competition or CS version, it could cost more than the XM Red Label, and the car would cost more than £170,000.
