Caught in Action: The 2025 BMW M5 Hybrid Prototype Charging Up Ahead of Summer 2024 Debut

2025 BMW M5 Sedan Prototype">BMW M5 Sedan Prototype" title="2025 BMW M5 Sedan Prototype">

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Photo: DrGumoLunatic on YouTube

Scheduled for a July 2024 release, the all-new 2025 BMW M5 is set to break new ground as it becomes the first M5 to feature a hybrid powertrain. Combining a twin-turbo V8 with an integrated electric motor, the M5 will deliver a fusion of exhilarating internal combustion power and instantaneous electric torque. This new setup, inspired by BMW’s XM SUV, promises to blend performance and efficiency without compromising on the adrenaline factor enthusiasts expect.

Captured in camo by the keen-eyed car spotter DrGumoLunatic, the prototype M5 was spotted charging, revealing its hybrid identity. With over 700 horsepower on tap, the new M5 is unmistakably a performance machine, flaunting wide arches, an aggressive rear bumper, and a distinctive front end featuring active aero elements. Yet, the all-season tires it was spotted with may not do justice to its potent capabilities.

Other prototypes of the G90 and G99 models were seen shod with summer performance tires, measuring a substantial 285/40 by 20 inches up front and 295/35 by 21 inches at the rear, compared to the outgoing F90 M5 CS's 275/35R20 and 285/35R20 setup. Inside, the M5 retains BMW’s signature dual-screen arrangement for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Although it remains unclear if an EV mode button will be present, the hybrid capabilities are undeniable.

As a plug-in hybrid, the M5 is expected to offer a few miles of pure electric driving. Drawing parallels from the EPA-rated BMW XM, which achieves about 31 miles purely on electric power, the M5's twin-turbo V8 will be supplemented by a high-voltage battery. The XM's total range stands at 300 miles, achieved with a combination of electrical and internal combustion energy sources, a benchmark that the M5 might aim to match.

Photo: DrGumoLunatic on YouTube

Notorious for its weight, the BMW XM suffers in range but benefits from a near-perfect weight distribution. At a hefty 6,094 pounds, the addition of a high-voltage battery doesn’t help its case in efficiency. However, its weight management is optimized across axles, a trait that will likely carry over to the G90, which is expected to tip the scales around 5,368 pounds.

The new S68 twin-turbo V8 engine substituted the F90's S63, offering 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Complementing it is an electric motor integrated into the transmission, providing an additional 194 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. This blend of power sources will no doubt redefine what it means to drive a luxury sports sedan in the modern era.

Despite its weight, the M5 Touring promises enhanced dynamic capabilities with active roll bars, rear torque vectoring, and rear-wheel steering. These features are designed to enhance its agility, particularly for those twisty drives. And the exciting news for American fans is that the M5 Touring will finally be available stateside, expanding BMW’s high-performance lineup.