The super sedan’s massive brakes indicate that it is loaded with serious power and weight.
Bavaria’s last performance vehicle to be electrified will be the M2 G87, which debuts in October. Every model after it will be electrified at some point, as Hans Rahn, BMW M workshop manager, told Which Car earlier in the month that the M5 would feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
He also stated that it would retain the V8 engine and most likely was referring to the newly introduced twin-turbo, 4.4-liter unit bearing the codename “S68”. Our spies also got to see a prototype M5 and saw that it didn’t have all of the production body panels. Although the beefy wheel arches don’t look like the final design, they indicate how wider the M version will look when compared to the 5Series.
These placeholders for the rudimentary taillights or headlights will be replaced with something more fancy on the M5. The cluster’s shape and location are likely to remain the same, so only the insides of the M5 will change. The M5 was so rigid that it looked like it was stuck to the road. To confirm it is a PHEV, fuel caps were placed on the rear fenders.
The quad exhaust system is not a sign that we’re dealing in an M5, but the massive brakes at both wheels confirm we’re looking at the best of the 5 Series family. The prototype gives us the impression that BMW’s design team decided to give the 5er a more sharp look despite the camouflage.
BMW chose to conceal the Hofmeister kink with an extra layer camo, but it failed to do a good job of masking the iDrive 8 infotainment. We can see the screens side-by-side in some shots taken at the Nürnbergring.
The new car could have more power and weight than the current one. The M5 CS super sedan weighed 627 horsepower. However, an electric motor could increase the power to 650 hp, which would be comparable to the base model of the XM. The M5 could also receive the V8 PHEV setup from the XM, which produces a staggering 750 hp.
In 2023, the standard 5 Series will have its cover removed. It will be replaced by an almost identical electric. We expect a 2024 M5 release.