The 2025 BMW M5 is unlike any before it. Packing 717 hp, 738 lb-ft of torque and weighing an astronomical 5,390 pounds, it’s actually slower than the previous M5 in a straight line. Has BMW M lost the plot or do they know something we don’t. We headed to the backroads of South Carolina and BMW’s South Carolina Performance Center to get some answers.

The BMW M5 In Brief

After four decades of setting the benchmark for high-performance sedans, the legendary BMW M5 is stepping into its seventh generation, ushering in a new era with its first-ever hybrid drive system. Featuring a bespoke version of the M Hybrid system, the new M5 delivers a staggering 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque motivating the car to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

This power is courtesy of a revised S63 high-revving, twin-turbo V8 engine equipped with an electric motor, seamlessly paired with a ZF 8-speed, M xDrive all-wheel-drive and some smart programming. But it’s the hybrid system that’s particularly interesting to us.

Electrification Meets Performance: The M Hybrid System

The latest BMW M5 marks a significant leap in BMW M’s journey toward electrification. Its hybrid setup is inspired by the powertrain found in the BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance race car, showcasing a blend of combustion and electric power. The 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque – down slightly from the 627 we saw in the M5 CS. However this is complemented by an electric motor that adds up to 194 hp and 207 lb-ft. This results in an impressive total output of 717 hp and 738 lb-ft, controlled by the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive system.

Under the hood, the S68 4.4-liter V8 engine is very familiar as it’s derived from the S63 that we’e known for years. It features a cross-bank exhaust manifold, reinforced crankshaft, close-mounted turbochargers, and an array of innovative components designed for peak performance and efficiency. The engine alone delivers its maximum output from 5,600 to 6,500 rpm, with a rev limit of 7,200 rpm. The electric motor, integrated into the transmission, enhances performance with instantaneous power delivery that fills the gaps in performance that you didn’t know existed. The results is a car that pulls even harder than before from any point in the rev range.

So why is it slower? Because it’s nearly 5,400 lbs. With a maximum system output of 717 hp and torque peaking at 738 lb-ft, the new S68 is constantly working hard to reduce the weight penalty and almost eliminates it. The new BMW M5 gets to from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds but that’s actually a tick slower than the previous M5. But that data point is a small one in the grand scheme of things. the new M5 is a more potent car underway and has tech wizardry that even the last M5 Competition could only dream of.

But we’re giving the ending away. Check out the video above for the full review at let us know what you think in the comments below.