The new G90 M5 gets powered by a strong hybrid powertrain for the first time
- 4.4L V8 with strong hybrid
- 727HP, 1000NM torque
- Rear axle steering
BMW India has launched the latest generation of their performance sedan, the M5. Codenamed the G90, it is priced at Rs. 1.99 Crore (Ex-showroom) and for the first time gets a strong hybrid powertrain.
BMW M5: Design & Interiors
As with previous M5s, the new version also gets sportier styling compared to the regular 5 series sedan. At the front, the grille gets the gloss black treatment and a more aggressive bumper with a wider air dam. Towards the side, the new M5 gets 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels. Then there is also the chunkier and sportier side sills and the flared wheel arches. At the rear, it gets a new spoiler as well as a very aggressive bumper with black chrome quad exhausts and a diffuser as well. There are also vertical cuts on either sides housing the reflector.
For India, BMW is also offering the M Carbon package as standard which adds carbon fibre mirror caps, rear spoiler and carbon roof which saves about 30KGs of weight. Alternatively, buyers can also spec it with a panoramic sunroof.
Inside, there is a new leather steering wheel with a flat bottom and red marker at the top. It also gets BMW’s ‘Curved Display’ which houses the digital gauge cluster as well as the touchscreen infotainment system which now runs on iDrive 8.5. There is also new ambient lighting, new gear shift knob and M Multifunction seats with an illuminated M5 logo. Music is put out through an 18-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system which also gets a 655W amplifier.
BMW M5: Performance
Under the hood is where the new M5 has gained much more power. For the first time ever, the M5 gets powered by a strong hybrid powertrain making use of a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 paired to an 8 speed torque converter and an electric drive unit with an 18.6kWh battery pack. The engine alone makes 585HP and 750NM of torque while the electric motor adds another 197HP and 280NM. Combined, it puts out an astonishing 727HP and 1000NM of torque. According to BMW, the battery offers the M5 an all-electric range of 69Kms (WLTP).
Driving the wheels is an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system which gets rear biased in the Sport mode while also offering drivers the option to exclusively drive the rear wheels. The M5 is also equipped with an adaptive M suspension with electronic dampers as well as rear axle steering which steers the rear wheels by upto 1.5 degrees to aid in handling.
Courtesy to all this gadgetry, the M5 sprints from 0-100Kmph in just 3.5 seconds. Top speed for the G90 M5 is 250Kmph which can be further raised to 305Kmph with an optional M Driver’s Package. BMW also says that it will reach a top speed of 140Kmph in an all-electric mode. Further, optioning the M Professional package, the left paddleshift also gets a ‘Boost’ feature which adds short bursts of power when activated via the electric drive unit. An optional M Drive Professional package also unlocks ‘TRACK’ mode along with a lap timer and a Boost Control function.
BMW M5: Price, Rivals
For India, BMW has priced the M5 at Rs. 1.99 Crores (Ex-showroom) without options. Imported as a CBU (Completely Built-up Unit), it gets ten standard exterior colour options- Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Sophisto Grey, Brooklyn Grey, Fire Red, Carbon Black, Isle of Man Green, Storm Bay, Marina Bay Blue, Frozen Deep Grey. Further the full leather Merino upholstery inside can be had in Red-Black, Kyalami Orange, Silverstone-Black and Black colour themes. Customers will also be able to customise other paint finishes as an option. BMW will also offer a host of accessories such as carbon fibre rear diffuser, side skirts, side decals, tail pipe finisher and more.
In terms of rivals, the M5 will compete with other performance sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance and Porsche Panamera among others.
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