BMW M5

The BMW M5 uses one powertrain in India, but its plug-in hybrid setup gives it two very different ways of driving. The electric motor handles quieter, smoother running when required, while the V8 takes over when outright performance becomes the priority.

V8 Performance With Instant Electric Assistance

The combination produces 717 bhp and 1,000 Nm, with the M5 completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.5 seconds. The electric motor fills in the initial response, while the V8 provides the stronger surge as speeds build.

The eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission gets BMW's Drivelogic system and paddle shifters. M xDrive provides plenty of traction, particularly when putting down all that torque, while its rear-biased setup keeps the car from feeling like a conventional front-heavy AWD sedan.

City Driving

The hybrid system changes the M5's behaviour considerably in the city. With enough charge in the battery, it can run in electric mode for around 67 km, making short commutes quiet and smooth. This is also useful in stop-and-go traffic, where the car does not need to fire up its V8 every time you move away from a signal. The steering is relatively light for such a large sedan, which makes low-speed driving easier than the M badge and performance figures might suggest.

Highway Driving

The highway is where the M5's full powertrain comes into play. The combination of the V8, electric motor and AWD means overtaking requires very little planning. The car remains stable at high speeds, while rear-wheel steering helps it feel more manageable through faster corners. Its 250 km/h electronically limited top speed can be raised to 305 km/h with the M Driver's Package.

Ride & Handling

There is no getting around the M5's size and weight. At roughly 2.5 tonnes, heavy braking and tight corners make you more aware of the mass than you would be in an older M5. However, the adaptive M suspension and rear-wheel steering do a good job of keeping the car composed.

Rear-wheel steering turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction at lower speeds to make the car easier to manoeuvre, while adding stability at higher speeds. The M xDrive system also gives the driver the option of a rear-wheel-drive mode for more playful driving.

There is no complicated variant range for the BMW M5 in India. BMW sells the G90 M5 as a single xDrive variant, and it already includes the major performance, comfort and technology equipment expected from the car.

Optional Performance Upgrades

The main configuration decisions are around optional equipment rather than different trims. The M Driver's Package increases the electronically limited top speed from 250 km/h to 305 km/h. M Carbon Ceramic brakes are another option for owners who intend to drive the car hard on track. For normal road use, the standard M compound brakes are already designed for the car's performance.

Which BMW M5 Should You Buy?

There is only one variant, so there is no cheaper version that requires you to compromise on the core M5 hardware. The decision is mainly about optional equipment:

• For everyday driving: the standard car already has more than enough performance and equipment.

• For frequent track use: the M Driver's Package and M Carbon Ceramic brakes are the more relevant upgrades.

• For luxury-focused use: the standard leather, massage seats, premium audio and four-zone climate cover most of the important comfort equipment.

The BMW M5 mileage figure of 49.75 kmpl needs to be viewed in the context of its plug-in hybrid system. The official figure benefits from the car's ability to cover part of the test cycle using electric power, so it does not represent the fuel economy you should expect from the V8 once the battery is depleted.

For regular city use, charging the 18.6 kWh battery can reduce how often the petrol engine is used. Once the electric charge runs low and the V8 does most of the work, fuel consumption drops sharply, particularly during enthusiastic driving.

The real-world figure will depend heavily on how often the car is charged and how it is driven. A regularly charged M5 can make much better use of its hybrid system in daily traffic than one that is driven mostly with a depleted battery.

The new BMW M5 has a much larger and more muscular presence than the previous generation. Its body is wider and longer than the regular 5 Series, while the flared arches and large wheels give it the stance expected from an M car.

Front Profile

The front gets BMW's illuminated Iconic Glow kidney grille, sharp LED lighting and a large bumper with sizeable air intakes. The grille is largely closed when extra cooling is not required, while the lower openings help direct air towards the cooling and braking hardware. The front end also carries a central sensor cluster and the new vertical LED daytime running light signature.

Side Profile

From the side, the M5's sheer size is hard to miss. The wheelbase stretches beyond three metres, giving the sedan a long and substantial profile. Body-coloured side skirts, M-specific mirrors and flared wheel arches add to the wider stance.

The standard staggered wheel setup uses 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear, giving the M5 a more aggressive profile while accommodating its high-performance tyres. Lastly, the ground clearance sits at 115 mm, so you may need to be careful around speed breakers. 

Rear Profile

The rear design is cleaner than the front, with slim horizontal LED tail lamps and a subtle boot-lid spoiler. The lower bumper houses a large diffuser and the familiar quad exhaust outlets, making it clear that this is still a V8-powered M car despite the hybrid technology underneath.

The BMW M5 interior brings together the digital layout of the latest 5 Series with the extra M-specific touches expected from the performance range. Merino leather, carbon fibre and aluminium finishes give the cabin a suitably expensive feel, while the long wheelbase creates useful space for rear passengers.

Driver-Focused Cabin

The curved display combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen running BMW Operating System 8.5. The driver also gets an M leather steering wheel with dedicated M1 and M2 buttons, allowing saved driving settings to be recalled quickly.

The centre console houses the M gear selector, start/stop button, iDrive controller and controls for the car's different driving settings. BMW has retained some physical controls for frequently used functions, although the overall cabin is still heavily digital.

Front Seats

The M multifunction seats provide both support during spirited driving and enough adjustment for long journeys. They use Merino leather and get heating and ventilation, while the headrests carry illuminated M5 branding. Massage functionality is also part of the equipment list, adding a more relaxed side to what is otherwise a performance-focused cabin.

Rear Seat Space

The longer wheelbase provides good legroom for rear passengers, making the M5 practical as a chauffeur-driven sedan as well. Rear passengers get access to the four-zone climate control and heated seats. The hybrid battery sits under the floor, which raises the cabin floor slightly and can affect under-thigh support for taller passengers.

Features & Everyday Convenience

The BMW M5 gets plenty of features for daily use. The Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system delivers high-quality audio, while the head-up display shows key information without taking your eyes off the road. Four-zone climate control lets rear passengers set their own temperature, and the panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel more open.

You also get ambient lighting, Digital Key Plus, Parking Assistant Professional, wireless smartphone connectivity and M-specific displays. Together, these make everyday driving easier while giving the driver quick access to performance data and settings.

BMW M5 Boot Space

The BMW M5 offers 466 litres of boot space. The battery reduces the available volume compared with a conventional 5 Series, but there is still enough room for regular luggage. The rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 split, allowing longer items to be carried without completely sacrificing rear passenger seating.

The BMW M5 gets a strong safety package, with multiple airbags, electronic stability systems and driver assistance features. Its M xDrive all-wheel-drive system also helps maintain traction when accelerating hard or driving on slippery surfaces.

Standard Safety Features

Seven airbags provide protection in a collision, while ABS with brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control and Cornering Brake Control help the car remain stable during heavy braking and quick direction changes. ISOFIX mounts are also provided for child seats.

Active Safety & Driver Assistance

The Driving Assistant Professional package adds features such as Lane Keeping Assistant, Blind Spot Detection and Front Collision Warning. These systems can help keep the car in its lane, warn about vehicles in blind spots and alert the driver to potential frontal collisions. Parking assistance and the 360-degree camera make it easier to manoeuvre the M5 in tight spaces.

BMW M5 Safety Features by Variant

Since the M5 is sold in a single variant, all the listed safety equipment comes as part of the standard package.

The BMW M5 sits in a small group of high-performance luxury sedans where outright performance, luxury and everyday usability all matter. Its closest alternatives include the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid and Audi RS e-tron GT.

BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is the more powerful option, with 831 bhp and 1,470 Nm from its 4.0L V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. It also gets a more dramatic four-door coupe design, but comes at a much higher price than the M5.

The M5 produces 717 bhp and 1,000 Nm, while offering a more traditional sedan body, usable electric driving and a lower entry price. It also has plenty of standard luxury and performance equipment, making it easier to use as an everyday car.

BMW M5 vs Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

The Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid uses a 4.0L V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 670 bhp and 930 Nm. It costs more than the M5 and puts greater emphasis on handling, refinement and the overall driving experience.

The M5 has more power and torque, along with a spacious four-door cabin and a long list of standard features. Its rear-biased M xDrive system and 2WD mode also give it more flexibility when you want to enjoy the car beyond everyday driving.

BMW M5 vs Audi RS e-tron GT

The Audi RS e-tron GT is a pure electric performance car with 637 bhp and 830 Nm, offering instant acceleration and a quieter driving experience. It also costs less than the M5 in the supplied figures, making it an alternative for buyers ready to move to an EV.

The M5 takes a different route with its 4.4L V8 and plug-in hybrid system, giving it around 67 km of electric driving for short trips. It can then switch to its petrol-electric powertrain when longer journeys or stronger performance are on the agenda.

Which Super Saloon Should You Choose?

• Choose the BMW M5 if you want a V8 super saloon that can also handle daily city driving on electric power.

• Choose the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance if maximum output and a more aggressive performance experience matter more than price.

• Choose the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid if driving precision and Porsche's handling characteristics are your priority.

• Choose the Audi RS e-tron GT if you want similar four-door performance without a petrol engine.

The M5's biggest strength is how much it can do with one powertrain. It can commute quietly on electric power, carry passengers in comfort and still deliver supercar-level acceleration. The compromises are mainly linked to its size, weight and the changes brought by electrification.

The new M5 is therefore less about being a lightweight sports sedan and more about delivering enormous performance from a large luxury car without giving up everyday usability.

The BMW M5 has changed considerably, but the basic idea behind it remains familiar. It is still a four-door sedan that can handle daily duties before turning into a seriously fast performance car when you want it to. The difference is that the new G90 can now do part of that daily driving without using its V8 at all.

Its 717 bhp, 1,000 Nm and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time put it firmly in supercar territory, while M xDrive, adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering help manage the car's size. The roughly 67 km electric range is also genuinely useful for short city journeys if the battery is charged regularly.

There are compromises. The M5's roughly 2.5-tonne weight is impossible to ignore when braking hard or changing direction quickly, and the hybrid system has made the V8 experience less raw than older generations. The styling is also a matter of personal taste. 

At ₹2.12 crore, the M5 also faces some serious competition. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance offers even more power and torque, while the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid puts greater emphasis on handling and refinement. The Audi RS e-tron GT takes a different route as a pure EV, offering instant performance without a petrol engine.

Still, the M5's ability to put together a V8, plug-in hybrid, four-door practicality, luxury and extreme performance in one car is difficult to replicate. If you want one sedan that can quietly handle the weekday commute and then deliver 717 bhp when the road clears, the BMW M5 remains one of the most capable super saloons you can buy.