In the world of high-performance automobiles, car manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to reduce the weight of their vehicles. Having a lighter car means needing a more rigid suspension system, stronger tires, an engine that works harder, and improved brakes. Additionally, a heavier vehicle is more susceptible to wear and tear. This is why the M5 CS was 154 pounds lighter than the M5 Competition.
However, in order to attract buyers, new high-performance cars must surpass their predecessors and also be more environmentally friendly. The solution to this dilemma is electrification. Unfortunately, high-voltage batteries used in electric cars are quite heavy. When combined with one or two motors, the weight can increase significantly.
Following in the footsteps of the XM, the upcoming BMW M5 G90 will be a plug-in hybrid. It is expected to have a total power output of 718 horsepower and up to 750 pound-feet of torque.
According to a reliable source, the 4.4-liter eight-cylinder S68 engine is anticipated to produce 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. When combined with one motor and an 18.6-kilowatt-hour battery, an additional 194 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque will be added.
Although the internal combustion engine appears to have been slightly detuned, as it only produces 627 horsepower in the M5 CS (F90 LCI), the plug-in hybrid powertrain in the new M5 will be more powerful than the XM’s 644-horsepower setup.
Until an M5 G90 CS or Label Red is released, the XM Label Red and its 738 horsepower will remain the most powerful BMW ever produced.
All of these changes come with a significant increase in weight. It is expected that the 2025 BMW M5 G90 will weigh 5,368 pounds (2,435 kilograms). Regardless of how you look at it, that’s quite a lot.
In comparison, the previous generation M5 had a curb weight of approximately 4,300 pounds, depending on the optional equipment selected by the customer. The iconic E39 generation of the M5 weighed around 4,000 pounds.
The upcoming 2025 M5 will no longer be considered a lightweight. It will be as heavy as a 2023 Bentley Continental GT V8 and only 400 pounds lighter than a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor. Interestingly, the new M5 will only be 150 pounds heavier than the X5 xDrive50e, a plug-in hybrid SUV with a six-cylinder engine and a 20.9-kilowatt-hour high-voltage battery.
In a surprising twist, the M5 F90 will have the same weight as the updated Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid. Some may argue that BMW would have been better off going straight to an all-electric i5 M, which could have been a true competitor to the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Lucid Air Sapphire.
According to the same source that provided the power and weight figures, the M5 G90 will be 1.4 inches (36 millimeters) longer and 2.7 inches (70 millimeters) wider than the standard 5 Series G60. This is due to a different suspension setup. The upgraded high-performance BMW family car is expected to come with 285/40 R20 tires in the front and 295/35 R21 tires in the rear as standard.
Image: BMW
The M5 G90 is set to begin production in July of this year. A refreshed version that will introduce the Panoramic Vision head-up display visible across the entire width of the windshield is expected to arrive in spring 2027. Production for the M5 Touring will start this November. Both models will be discontinued in 2031.
This might sound a bit extreme, but it’s worth noting that BMW has a track record of delivering exciting cars that also offer a luxurious commuting experience. Additionally, we have already predicted that the XM powertrain will be incorporated into the next-generation M5.
In conclusion, it’s important not to pass judgment or feel disappointed until you have seen and driven the car yourself. BMW has a reputation for creating vehicles that may appear unconventional or polarizing on a screen, but are truly exceptional in real life. Likewise, we cannot make any judgments about the sedan’s performance until we witness it in action. While plug-in hybrids may be heavier than mild hybrids, automakers wouldn’t have chosen this middle-ground if it didn’t come with significant improvements and without any compromises.
According to the Source autoevolution.com