The new 727bhp BMW M5 is big, beautiful and bloody ballistic plus it's a PHEV for the first time ever
This incredible machine is the most powerful M5 ever, and also the first plug-in hybrid M5.
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Combined, its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery produce a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.
It's astonishingly fast, able to blitz 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package it will keep charging all the way to 305kph.
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BUMBLEBEE BEAST: The M5 made the perfect machine for Bumblebee 1000's latest charity roadtrip as it's supercar-fast and super comfy on long journeys
Credit: Jacob Liggett
But fitting the engine and hybrid system into a big five-door family saloon adds weight.
And the fact the new M5 tips the scales at 2,510kg has been a huge topic of discussion.
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But the majority of those complaining about the weight have not driven it, because if you did, then you would understand how incredible a job the BMW boffins have done to mask that weight.
When cornering hard on uneven surfaces or under heavy braking, sure, you notice the weight, but you really have to be pushing the M5 to the max.
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BELLY OF THE BEAST: The M5's 4.4-litre, twin-tubo V8 and hybrid system produces an incredible 727bhp
Credit: Paddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
Key facts:
BMW M5
Cost:
From €137,055 (From £111,405 in the UK)
Engine:
4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor
and 18.6kWh battery
Power:
727bhp
Torque:
1,000Nm
0-100kph:
3.5 seconds
Top Speed:
305kph
Economy:
148.7mpg
Emissions:
43g/km
Rivals:
Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera
It comes with Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering,.
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This clever feature can steer the rear wheels by up to 1.5° and this improves directional stability at high speeds, as well as agility and comfort when manoeuvring.
Most read in Motors
Review
Review
When driven sensibly it's a very comfortable long-distance cruiser, and if you keep the battery charged it's economical too.
BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure.
I didn't see results as good as that but on my way to Bumblebee, I filled the M5 with petrol in Newry and drove to Barberstown Castle near Dublin and the gauge just dipped below full.
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BRING THE NOISE: It comes fitted with an M Exhaust but it could be louder to really let that big V8 sound its best as that's the only area the M5 is lacking
Credit: Paddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
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And it does have a very useful 70km electric-only range too.
But step on the gas and the M5 has the power to annihilate the Autobahn with ease.
It will explode into life, pinning you back in your seat as it relentlessly slams through all of its eight gears at an alarming rate, making wonderful noises out of the twin-exit dual exhausts.
But my one complaint is that it could be louder, even fitted with the M Exhaust — I'd love to hear more roar from that big V8.
Behind the steering wheel are two discrete M1 and M2 buttons that allow you to quickly switch between different set-ups for engine, chassis, steering and brakes, so choose M2 for manic and M1 for the full maniac mode.
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MAGIC NUMBERS: Red buttons behind the wheel allow you to quickly switch between different set-ups for engine, chassis, steering and brakes so choose M2 for manic and M1 for the full maniac mode
Credit: Paddy McGrath
You can also switch the M5's all-wheel-drive M xDrive system from 4WD to 2WD.
However this is best suited to track driving as you wouldn't be long burning through a set of rear tyres.
My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, doing a phenomenal job of bringing the big Beemer to a stop.
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It also came with M Performance Parts that add carbon door mirror, boot spoiler and exhaust tips — even the roof is carbon fibre.
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BOOT SIZE: The M5's boot offers 466 litres of luggage space
Credit: Jacob Liggett
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LAP OF LUXURY: BMW's curved dual screens take centre stage, there's heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats
Credit: Paddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
Inside, the cabin is superb as you'd imagine from a flagship BMW.
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The curved dual screens dominate the dash, with carbon trim everywhere.
The sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, the M badge lights up at night and there's heated seats in the back as well.
The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is a few grand more, starting at €139,515 and that's a lot of money.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Its little brother the M3 is actually more expensive as it starts from €154,395, but the M5 is more powerful, and as it's a PHEV, it's much cheaper to tax.
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THE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes, even the roof's carbon
Credit: Paddy McGrath
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The Irish Sun
2 days 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
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