Dang, I'm loving the Daytona Violet/
Is the new hybrid BMW M5 more or less efficient than its predecessor? Depends on how your EV math works.
If you can plug in the new-for-2025 BMW M5 to take advantage of its 25 miles of electric range, then the EPA lists a combined 50 MPGe. But if you can’t, the new M5’s combined efficiency drops to 14 mpg.
The outgoing M5’s numbers: 15 in the city, 21 on the highway and 17 combined.
The old car also weighs a thousand pounds less and, according to BMW, will hit 60 mph two-tenths quicker: 3.2 vs. 3.4 seconds. Apparently, the new car’s horsepower advantage–717 combined vs. 600 for the outgoing model–can only do so much.
So, did BMW just add weight and complexity to turn the M5 into a hybrid?
Discuss.
The new M5 driving experience? All the comforts, all the performance. Brutally fast acceleration but docile around town. Giant brakes. Big trunk, roomy back seat. Tight steering, supportive seats. Never got tired behind the wheel. It has presence.
Yes, the new M5 does feel a bit heavy–more like a Nissan GT-R than the latest M3, especially when moving around at parking lot speeds. Blame the batteries, blame the all-wheel drive. BMW lists a curb weight of 5390 pounds. I would have guessed even more.
Our tester wore Daytona Violet, a throwback hue. Looked perfect. The white seats quickly grew on me.
[BMW adds famous E36 and E46 paint colors to 2026 M3]
How much for all this goodness? The window sticker lists a starting price of $119,500. Then add in our test car’s options, with the biggies being that Daytona Violet Paint ($5000), M Carbon ceramic brakes ($8500) and the M Driver’s Package ($2500). Total price, including destination and the gas guzzler tax, comes out to $146,225.
Is it worth it? We’ll see what the market says.
Dang, I'm loving the Daytona Violet/
In reply to Colin Wood :
The Daytona Violet looks amazing.
Here it is before sunup.
Does the hybrid math work for everyone? Guess we’ll see what the market says.
Brian Silvestro just published an interesting article about PHEV use in Europe and the US. Looks like the former is much less likely to charge the batteries, and thus aren't seeing the benefits. It's worth a read.
BMW USA says that their customers do indeed use the charging capability.
From a spokesperson:
- BMW PHEV customers charge very frequently: 15% charge at least once per day, 52% at least 2-4 times per week.
- On average across all our PHEV customers we do see that they charge 0.7x per day.
- >95% of all PHEV charging sessions are non-public (=home)
https://www.theautopian.com/phev-charging-data-for-kia-and-hyundai-revealed/
Looks like the hybrid motor adds just under 200 hp to this beast. Does it add to the response? The earlier M5s did prioritze throttle response (8 throttle bodies on the E39!), is this their way to add some snap to a turbo engine? It's certainly not to save the owners a bit of money at the pump, I doubt that's a concern for someone buying a new M5 over a normal 5 series.
The people buying a car like this are not doing so based on any type of math.
Keith Tanner said:Brian Silvestro just published an interesting article about PHEV use in Europe and the US. Looks like the former is much less likely to charge the batteries, and thus aren't seeing the benefits. It's worth a read.
BMW USA says that their customers do indeed use the charging capability.
From a spokesperson:
- BMW PHEV customers charge very frequently: 15% charge at least once per day, 52% at least 2-4 times per week.
- On average across all our PHEV customers we do see that they charge 0.7x per day.
- >95% of all PHEV charging sessions are non-public (=home)
https://www.theautopian.com/phev-charging-data-for-kia-and-hyundai-revealed/
Looks like the hybrid motor adds just under 200 hp to this beast. Does it add to the response? The earlier M5s did prioritze throttle response (8 throttle bodies on the E39!), is this their way to add some snap to a turbo engine? It's certainly not to save the owners a bit of money at the pump, I doubt that's a concern for someone buying a new M5 over a normal 5 series.
I’d say no more snap that the previous M5s.
So there’s more power yet, at the end of the day, can you argue that the outgoing M5 is quicker?
David S. Wallens said:Does the hybrid math work for everyone? Guess we’ll see what the market says.
For a 25 mile range?!
LOL. No.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
25 miles will cover more than half of the average American's daily drive (just under 40 miles, I believe). Depending on your home electricity cost, you get that 25 miles at a much lower cost and without the hassle of having to warm up an ICE. Also, fewer visits to gas stations which some people really, really hate doing.
If the driving experience isn't improved (which I expect we'll see in an upcoming mild hybrid Miata) and any performance improvements are muted at best (0-60 isn't the only metric that matters, of course), it's hard to make a good case for this thing.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
I'd agree that it seems like the aim was to give the buyer some gas-free driving range.
If that's really the case, I'm all for the idea, at least on paper–though I don't know if I'd go out of my way to get this brand-new model over the outgoing one if I were in the market.
In reply to Colin Wood :
The violet and the fact that there's a wagon available are better reasons :)
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