BMW M5 is so good I had to test it twice and jumped at the chance to drive this Bumblebee Beast again
I can reflect on another amazing adventure and an awesome time spent behind the wheel of the ballistic new BMW M5.
6
BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BALLISTIC, 727BHP BUMBLEBEE WEAPON: The M5 once again was the perfect choice to take part in Bumblebee 1000's latest charity road trip
Credit: Jacob Liggett
I drove the M5 at Bumblebee's first road trip of 2025 in April, and was trying to source the new M2 for this one in June, but that didn't work out.
However I was more than happy to be back behind the wheel of this beast again as it's the most powerful M5 ever, producing a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and impressive 1,000Nm of torque.
And it's also the first plug-in hybrid M5 ever, with a huge 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 crammed under the bonnet that works alongside a 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery.
But all of the above adds weight, a lot of it, making it the heaviest M5 ever too — weighing in at 2,510kg — so with a full tank of petrol, four passengers on-board plus the driver, you could be tipping the scales at three tonnes.
6
SOUND OFF: Despite its quad exhausts the M5 could do with being lot louder
Credit: Jacob Liggett
Key Facts:
BMW G90 M5
Cost:
From €137,055
Engine:
4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor
Power:
727bhp
Torque:
1,000Nm
0-100kph:
3.5 seconds
Top Speed:
305kph
Economy:
48.7mpg
Real world:
30.2mpg
Emissions:
43g/km
Rivals:
Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera
6
SUPERCAR POWER: M5's 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system produces 727bhp
Credit: Paddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
It can launch from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package fitted, max out at 305kph, which makes the new M5's performance figures all the more impressive.
BMW has done a great job trying to hide the weight, and it's only when cornering hard or under heavy braking that you really notice its heaviness.
My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, as is the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering.
This allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 1.5° allowing the M5 to become a lot more nimble and sure-footed than you'd think for a heavy, five-seater saloon.
Most read in Motors
6
BOOT SIZE: The M5's boot offers 466 litres of luggage space
Credit: Jacob Liggett
6
THE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes
Credit: Paddy McGrath
On Bumblebee 1000 you cover a lot of miles, so being very comfortable over long distances is another plus point for the M5.
The battery takes 2 hours 30 minutes to fully charge providing you with a handy 70km electric-only range too, plus as the M5 is a PHEV, the annual road tax is only €140.
BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure, and impressive stats like those are possible with a fully charged battery and very gentle driving.
But with so much power available and when driving in an environment like Bumblebee, the big Beemer is a thirsty beast.
6
COOL SEATS: BMW's curved dual screens take centre stage and there's heated and cooled front seats
Credit: Paddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
After the road trip ended, the fun was over and I returned home from the Portlaoise Plaza at a more leisurely pace.
And here I recorded 30.2mpg, not bad for a car that has a top speed of over 300km.
It could be louder though.
That big V8 should really be allowed to sing, but sadly the M5 is too quiet for its own good.
Inside, BMW's brilliant curved dual screens dominate the dash, and like the exterior, there is carbon trim everywhere.
Read more on the Irish Sun
The front sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, with an illuminated M badge and there are heated seats in the back.
The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is €139,515 but that's before you start ticking boxes and there are loads of options to choose from.
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The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
BMW M5 is so good I had to test it twice and jumped at the chance to drive this Bumblebee Beast again
NOW the dust has finally settled on Bumblebee 1000's Talladega Nights road trip and life has returned to normal. I can reflect on another amazing adventure and an awesome time spent behind the wheel of the ballistic new BMW M5. 6 BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BALLISTIC, 727BHP BUMBLEBEE WEAPON: The M5 once again was the perfect choice to take part in Bumblebee 1000's latest charity road trip Credit: Jacob Liggett I drove the M5 at Bumblebee's first road trip of 2025 in April, and was trying to source the new M2 for this one in June, but that didn't work out. However I was more than happy to be back behind the wheel of this beast again as it's the most powerful M5 ever, producing a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and impressive 1,000Nm of torque. And it's also the first plug-in hybrid M5 ever, with a huge 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 crammed under the bonnet that works alongside a 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery. But all of the above adds weight, a lot of it, making it the heaviest M5 ever too — weighing in at 2,510kg — so with a full tank of petrol, four passengers on-board plus the driver, you could be tipping the scales at three tonnes. 6 SOUND OFF: Despite its quad exhausts the M5 could do with being lot louder Credit: Jacob Liggett Key Facts: BMW G90 M5 Cost: From €137,055 Engine: 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor Power: 727bhp Torque: 1,000Nm 0-100kph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 305kph Economy: 48.7mpg Real world: 30.2mpg Emissions: 43g/km Rivals: Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera 6 SUPERCAR POWER: M5's 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system produces 727bhp Credit: Paddy McGrath It can launch from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package fitted, max out at 305kph, which makes the new M5's performance figures all the more impressive. BMW has done a great job trying to hide the weight, and it's only when cornering hard or under heavy braking that you really notice its heaviness. My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, as is the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering. This allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 1.5° allowing the M5 to become a lot more nimble and sure-footed than you'd think for a heavy, five-seater saloon. Most read in Motors 6 BOOT SIZE: The M5's boot offers 466 litres of luggage space Credit: Jacob Liggett 6 THE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes Credit: Paddy McGrath On Bumblebee 1000 you cover a lot of miles, so being very comfortable over long distances is another plus point for the M5. The battery takes 2 hours 30 minutes to fully charge providing you with a handy 70km electric-only range too, plus as the M5 is a PHEV, the annual road tax is only €140. BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure, and impressive stats like those are possible with a fully charged battery and very gentle driving. But with so much power available and when driving in an environment like Bumblebee, the big Beemer is a thirsty beast. 6 COOL SEATS: BMW's curved dual screens take centre stage and there's heated and cooled front seats Credit: Paddy McGrath After the road trip ended, the fun was over and I returned home from the Portlaoise Plaza at a more leisurely pace. And here I recorded 30.2mpg, not bad for a car that has a top speed of over 300km. It could be louder though. That big V8 should really be allowed to sing, but sadly the M5 is too quiet for its own good. Inside, BMW's brilliant curved dual screens dominate the dash, and like the exterior, there is carbon trim everywhere. Read more on the Irish Sun The front sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, with an illuminated M badge and there are heated seats in the back. The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is €139,515 but that's before you start ticking boxes and there are loads of options to choose from.
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
The clever eBay trick that can give your old car a high-tech makeover from just £300 – so how did we buff up this BMW?
EVERY week it seems there's a new special edition to drum up sales. But here's something we haven't seen before. 9 This 20-year-old BMW 3 Series was bought for £9k and now it's been updated with a host of high-tech kit for just £2k Credit: Supplied 9 The fun starts with the M Sport gearshift knob for £78 Credit: Supplied 9 It's got Apple CarPlay for music and maps Credit: Supplied The eBay Edition. Upgrade your motor — of any age — with some modern low-cost tech you can fit in a jiffy at home. Search for eBay's 'My Garage' page, tap in your car reg, and away you go. Only parts and accessories compatible with that vehicle will show up. This 20-year-old BMW 3 Series, a tasty 330CI, was bought on eBay for a smidge under £9k. READ MORE MOTORING NEWS Manual gearbox. Rear-wheel drive. Sweet 3-litre in-line six with just 85,000 miles on the clock. Goes like stink. Most read in Motors But it didn't have any of the in-car tech people want today. Incredible car modification from Hum Rider means you will never have to sit in traffic again It does now. It's got Head-up Display to project speed and other data on to the windscreen in front of you. Even a reversing camera to stop you hitting something you shouldn't. All for less than £300. 9 Head-up Display to project speed and other data onto the windscreen was added for just £20 Credit: Supplied 9 Blind spot warning sensors - added Credit: Supplied 9 Then there's the bangin' aftermarket Gladden sound system with the woofer fitted neatly inside the spare wheel in the boot Credit: Supplied Some drivers like the added assurance of blind spot warning sensors, dash cams and a GPS tracker. So it's got them too. Then there's the bangin' aftermarket Gladden sound system with the woofer fitted neatly inside the spare wheel in the boot. BMW M Sport floor mats — from BMW's official eBay store — and refurbished kick plates freshen things up. The Michelin rubber was ordered and fitted via eBay's one-stop tyre shop. My friend spent a total of £2,123 on kit. So that's just over £11k all-in. For a stonking 'E46' Beemer that's been modernised and personalised yet still looks exactly as it should. I'm a little bit jealous. Almost a third of the 36 million cars on our roads are more than 12 years old. Which means there's lots of drivers missing out on useful everyday tech. If that's you, jump on t'interweb and configure your own eBay Edition. Then ask a mate to help fit it. 9 Even a reversing camera to stop you hitting something you shouldn't Credit: Supplied 9 BMW M Sport floor mats — from BMW's official eBay store — and refurbished kick plates freshen things up Credit: Supplied 9 A GPS tracker is also onboard Credit: Supplied KEY FACTS: 2005 BMW 330CI Price: £8,990 Engine: 3-litre 6cyl petrol Power: 231hp 0-62mph: 6.5 secs Top speed: 155mph Economy: 28mpg Co2: 231g/km
Irish Times
25-06-2025
- Irish Times
Tesla's European sales fall for fifth consecutive month
Sales of Tesla have fallen in Europe for five consecutive months despite the roll-out of its flagship Y model and chief executive Elon Musk's decision to step back from his political role in the US. The carmaker, which is seeking to reboot the flagging business with the recent launch of its robotaxi service, sold 13,863 electric vehicles in wider Europe and the UK in May, down 28 per cent from a year earlier, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Tesla's sales and profits collapsed from earlier this year on the back of an ageing product portfolio and Musk's political activism, prompting the billionaire entrepreneur to cut back on his political activities and focus on running the car company. The weakness in Tesla's sales has helped to boost demand for offerings from rival European brands with registrations of new electric vehicles rising 27.2 per cent in the region in May compared with a year earlier. Sales of Volkswagen group rose 3.4 per cent while BMW's registrations increased 5.6 per cent. READ MORE Barclays expects Tesla's second-quarter deliveries to be about 375,000 units, down 16 per cent year on year and below market consensus about 400,000 vehicles. On top of weak sales in Europe, Tesla this week received an order from France's consumer affairs and fraud investigators to stop 'deceptive' claims over the level of autonomy of its cars or face thousands of euros in fines. A handful of Tesla drivers in France are also suing the company to terminate the leases for their vehicles, alleging Musk's political activities have made their cars 'far-right totems'. But analysts say Tesla's share price has mostly decoupled from the performance of its EV business with the stock rising nearly 6 per cent since the Sunday launch of its autonomous ride-hailing service in its home city of Austin. Musk has claimed the robotaxis and artificial intelligence (AI) represented Tesla's future, predicting that its pivot could take the company's valuation as high as $5 trillion (€4.3 trillion), about five times its current market value. The launch was low-key with only about 10 robotaxis on the roads in limited areas and with a human safety driver on board amid regulatory scrutiny of its self-driving technology. The robotaxi service began with customers paying a $4.20 flat fee as Tesla looks to generate revenue on driverless rides even as sales of vehicles decline. Despite the bullish view among some investors, Barclays analyst Dan Levy said there was still work ahead to unlock the potential for autonomous vehicles. 'We believe the much better question ahead is on the path of scaling, which we believe will be long, and we caution against over-optimism,' he added. Tesla did no immediately respond to a request for comment. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025
