The BMW M5 G90 is the seventh generation of BMW's flagship performance saloon and the first M5 to use a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Combining a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged S68 V8 with an integrated electric motor, it produces a combined 727 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, dispatching 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. The price for this capability is significant: the G90 weighs approximately 2,435 kg in European specification, making it heavier than the BMW X5 SUV and nearly 450 kg more than the outgoing F90 M5.
The Hybrid Powertrain: How 727 HP and Electric Range Coexist
The S68 V8 engine is paired with an electric motor integrated directly into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, meaning the electric boost arrives in-line with the engine output rather than through a separate rear axle. The high-voltage battery allows an electric-only range of up to 43 miles, which is useful for city driving and low-emissions zones but also serves as an on-demand power reserve during full-performance driving. M xDrive all-wheel drive manages traction across all surfaces. As Car Magazine's full review noted, the powertrain's sophistication is remarkable but the weight penalty it introduces is the defining engineering challenge of the whole car.
The Weight Question: Heavier Than a BMW X5
At around 2,435 kg, the G90 M5 outweighs the BMW X5 xDrive50e hybrid SUV, which sits closer to 2,380 kg. The weight increase over the outgoing F90 M5 is approximately 450 kg, driven almost entirely by the high-voltage battery pack and the revised hybrid drivetrain components. BMW's engineers placed these components low and centrally to minimise the impact on the car's centre of gravity, and the active air suspension and rear-wheel steering system compensate dynamically. BMWBlog's first drive concluded that the weight is more noticeable in chassis-feel transitions than in outright pace, where the system's torque reserves effectively mask the mass.
Interior, Technology, and Design
Inside the G90 M5, BMW fitted M multifunction seats, a flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel, and the BMW Curved Display running the latest iDrive system. M-specific graphics populate the instrument cluster, and the centre console uses carbon-fibre trim options. Externally, widened wheel arches, aluminium bonnet, side skirts, and an embossed M5 rear badge communicate the performance intent without the aggressive aerodynamic additions that define track-focused variants. The car premiered publicly at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed before customer deliveries began.
High-Performance Cars at TheArsenale
The G90 M5 marks a turning point in what a performance saloon can be. For those who want to explore the broader world of high-performance and bespoke vehicles, the Cars collection at TheArsenale brings together some of the most distinctive machines available, from factory limited editions to fully custom builds. Among the highlights are the Nardone 928 Porsche restomod and the Ferrari 296 Corsso Venuum coachbuilt supercar.
Photo: BMW
