The super sedan of the future could be capable of more than 700 horsepower.
While SUVs dominate the world, sedans are still very popular. The BMW M5 is the most popular of the four German cars. We have already seen prototypes of the next-generation M5 on film and now we can see the Nurburgring.
These shots were taken by our spy photographer who camped near the Pflanzgarten parking lot. Although heavy camouflage remains the norm, bright sunlight allows us to examine the exterior to find clues to what lies beneath the wrap. This is definitely an M5 with the large brakes, wide tires and quad exhaust outlets at its rear. The front fascia is interesting, with some scoops and bumps around the corners. However, the headlights are unlikely to be production-spec. The same story is true at the rear, but the fascia’s appearance has a more prototype feel.
This car is fast! Notice how the wheel gap between the front and rear fenders grows as the car passes the camera. This suggests that there is some acceleration, especially when compared with other photos of the same car on public roads. This prototype clearly labels it as a hybrid vehicle, so we know that the next M5 will get a hybrid powertrain. Rumours are rife about an insane M5 plug-in hybrid, which combines a V8 and two electric motors. The M5 could produce 750 horsepower, making it a true monster.
These images could show a hybrid component adding weight. It is not easy to adjust the suspension of the M5 to handle the super-sedan hybrid’s thurst and weight. This requires extensive testing. It is evident that the M5’s suspension is still being tweaked to handle the super-sedan hybrid’s thurst and mass.
From an outsider’s view, the new BMW M5 is still in development. The first prototype was seen in January 2022. BMW will unveil the new 5 Series before the M5 arrives. This could be a 2023 model. However, we don’t anticipate a new M5 to debut before 2023.