The BMW M5 is an icon — a midsize sedan that’s also an absolute missile. The current F90 generation was controversial when it launched for bucking tradition by ditching the previously sacrosanct manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive layout in the name of performance. But the next M5, reportedly arriving in 2024, could engender even more controversy — and for reasons that have nothing to do with its kidney grille.
The British magazine CAR has a new report out that provides alleged details about the next generation of the BMW M5 — and they won’t delight the purists. The new M5 will allegedly produce up to 1,000 horsepower, a nearly 400-hp jump over the present top spec. Sounds great, right? Well, it’ll reportedly do so by becoming the first BMW M car to move exclusively to hybrid and or fully electric powertrains.
According to the report, the hybrid M5 will use the V8 setup bound for the upcoming X8 M, putting out around 760 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. The full-electric version will allegedly produce up to around 1,000 hp using a tri-motor setup. It will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and achieve of an estimated maximum range of 435 miles (though you can expect to see less in the real world). It’ll reportedly share its electric architecture with future full-electric versions of the BMW 7 Series, Rolls-Royce Phantom and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Strange as it might sound, BMW taking the M5 electric may be necessary, if the goal is to produce the ultimate performance sedan of tomorrow. Companies like Porsche and Tesla have shown that pinnacle of automotive performance won’t be achievable by pure internal combustion in the future — especially the sort of internal combustion engine that’ll meet increasingly tough emissions standards.