Spy shots of the 2025 BMW M5: the new super sedan will get a hybrid powertrain

BMW was spotted testing a prototype of the redesigned M5.

Sales are expected to begin in 2024, about a year later than the base redesigned 5 Series. This suggests that it will appear as a 2025 model.

While this prototype may appear to be one of the redesigned 5 Series testers, there are obvious clues to the M5 variant being tested here. They include quad exhaust tips, widened wheel arches, pizza-dish-sized brake rotors, and multiple intakes in the front mask.

We are likely still in the early stages of testing, as evidenced by the makeshift wheel arches. We expect that a more advanced prototype will have a cleaner design. Interestingly, this prototype is advanced enough to find the hood indentation leading back from the center of the grille, a design first seen on the M3/M4 duo.

Interior shots reveal a thick-rimmed steering wheel and floating screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment.

Also not to be missed is the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" sticker, which confirms the electric powertrain. Most likely, it is the electric V-8 powertrain that was previewed in BMW's recent Concept XM and is slated for the production XM later this year.

The Concept XM's powertrain is a plug-in hybrid that integrates a newly developed twin-turbocharged V-8 engine as the internal combustion engine and was claimed to have a maximum output of 750 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. Similar figures are expected for the production XM and this M5. The maximum output of the current M5 is 627 hp in the CS version.

We are told that the redesigned M5 will be the first in the history of this nameplate to have a second powertrain, specifically a choice of battery-electric setups. This powertrain is said to be capable of over 1,000 hp with a three-motor setup, which should help the M5 keep up with electric super sedans like the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance. It is not clear if the electric M5, if launched, will appear with a hybrid. It has been confirmed that an electric version of the redesigned 5 Series will be available. It will be called the i5 and a prototype has already been tested.