For years, America has eagerly anticipated the arrival of this model. Domagoj Dukec, BMW’s Head of Design, has finally confirmed that the sports station wagon (G99) will be making its way to the US. The M5 sedan (G90) will be the first to hit the market, followed shortly by the Touring version. Recently, the M5 Touring was spotted testing in California, proudly displaying a Californian license plate.
When it comes to design, there won’t be any surprises. The M5 Touring will feature the iconic and aggressive styling that is typical of the M series. This includes a distinct front grille, muscular fenders, and a rear spoiler. Inside, drivers can expect a flat-bottom steering wheel, M1 and M2 buttons, and all the other signature M features. The curved display with the iDrive 9 system will also be present.
Both the M5 Sedan and Touring will share the powertrain of the XM. This means they will be plug-in hybrids that combine the new S68 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with an electric motor. The powertrain will be integrated into the ZF 8HP torque-converter automatic transmission, resulting in a total output of over 700 horsepower.
If we take the XM as a reference, we can expect the M5 to deliver around 644 horsepower (653 metric horsepower) and 480 pound-feet (650 Newton meters) of torque. The more powerful Label version goes even further, boasting 738 horsepower (748 metric horsepower) and 738 pound-feet (997 Newton meters) of torque.
To enable electric-only driving, the M5 Sedan and Touring will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack with a net capacity of 25.7 kWh. This should allow for a range of approximately 48 miles (30 kilometers) on electric power alone.
While the top speed of the M5 Sedan has not been confirmed, the XM label reaches a maximum speed of 175 mph (282 kph) with the M Driver’s Package. It remains to be seen if the M5 will match or surpass this figure, but it is worth noting that it may be slower than its predecessor.
The M5 Touring will occupy a unique position in a segment that is dwindling. Mercedes-Benz has already retired the AMG E 63 T-Modell, and the Audi RS 6 Avant is also on its way out. Although Audi is said to be working on the RS 5 and RS 7 Avant, there has been no confirmation of their availability in the American market. Unfortunately, the BMW M3 Touring, which has been on the market since 2022, will not be sold in the US.
Production of the 2025 BMW M5 Sedan is set to begin in July 2024, with the first customers expected to receive their cars in the fall. As for the M5 Touring, production will start in November 2024, meaning customers will have to wait a bit longer. It remains to be seen if the i5 Touring will also make its way to the US.
According to the Source autoevolution.com