The Shocking Weight of BMW's 2025 M5 Hybrid: Can Performance Make up for the 882-Pound Battery?
BMW’s latest release in the M5 series, the 2025 model, certainly packs a punch, but not in the way you might expect. Though it's a beast with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 hybrid powertrain that boasts 717 horsepower, much of the discussion is focused on its hefty curb weight—5390 pounds to be exact. Clearly, BMW has taken the concept of 'heavy metal' very literally.
The Heavy Cost of Electrification
So, where does all this weight come from? The main culprit is the M5’s 14.8-kWh lithium-ion battery, which alone weighs a staggering 882 pounds. This detail was confirmed by Frank van Meel, the big cheese over at BMW's M division, during an insightful interview with Top Gear. This significant weight gain might sound troubling, but van Meel argues that it's a necessary evil to achieve the desired enhancements in performance and electrification.
Van Meel explained that a conventional hybrid system generally adds between 330 and 440 pounds. However, the plug-in hybrid approach, while heavier, offers continuous electric power output and energy, providing more substantial performance benefits than the temporary boost functions of a regular hybrid. This innovative yet weighty system allows the M5 to travel an estimated 25 miles in all-electric mode, an essential feature given the rise of zero-emission zones in urban areas.
Performance Metrics: More than Just Numbers
Despite the weight, van Meel emphasizes the upsides: “For us, it makes sense to ‘go the whole way’ and get the full advantage of electrification rather than accept setbacks.” For a sedan that retains a V-8 engine, this means a healthier balance of power and driving thrill. “It’s a bigger step in performance because we have 69 kilometers of electric range and 200 more horsepower,” van Meel noted.
However, the additional weight has naturally raised eyebrows. How does this new battery-laden M5 handle? Van Meel reassures enthusiasts that the extra weight has been strategically placed in the floor of the car, lowering the center of gravity. “In motor racing, ballast is added to the floor of the car to even up balance of performance. That’s where we added our ‘ballast’—the battery is in the floor with a lower center of gravity [than the previous M5].”
The V-8 We're Obsessed With
When Top Gear queried why BMW chose not to downsize the engine, van Meel’s answer was unequivocal. Downsizing to a four-cylinder, as done by the Mercedes-AMG C63, wasn't an option. “You would be crazy to have a four-cylinder,” he said. Instead, BMW decided on the V-8, a choice driven by the need for a compact yet powerful engine that can deliver an emotional driving experience.
Van Meel elaborated that a six-cylinder option would require a longer front end and a significantly larger gearbox, compromising the compact nature of the M5. The V-8, he argued, is the best solution for maintaining both power and an emotional connect to the legacy of high-performance sedans.
A Look Ahead
No doubt, the additional weight poses challenges, especially when it comes to handling and agility, which are critical for maintaining the M5’s legacy as a performance sedan. The new 2025 M5 will have to work even harder to prove its mettle in the realms of speed and maneuverability. All eyes will be on this hybrid marvel as it hits the roads, scrutinizing how effectively it channels its power and manages its bulk.
As BMW navigates the delicate balance between performance and electrification, enthusiasts and critics alike await the opportunity to experience this heavyweight champ firsthand. It’s a bold move by BMW, laden with risks and controversies, but who knows? The 2025 M5 might just surprise us all by blending sheer power with a new level of eco-conscious sophistication.