Scheduled for a July 2024 release, the next-generation M5 will be the first one to combine internal combustion with electric oomph. The plug-in hybrid setup is believed to be similar to that of the XM sport utility vehicle, as in twin-turbo V8 up front and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed torque-converter automatic supplied by ZF.
The carparazzo known as DrGumoLunatic has recently spied a camouflaged G90 while charging, and it's hard to mistake the 700-plus-horsepower sedan for a lesser version of the 5 Series. From the wider arches to the in-your-face rear bumper and M5-specific front end with active flaps/shutters, the newcomer oozes performance. However, that surely cannot be said about the four-door prototype's all-season tires.
Other G90s and G99s were spied rocking summer-only performance rubber measuring 285/40 by 20 inches up front and 295/35 by 21 inches out back. The outgoing F90 M5 CS, by comparison, is equipped with 275/35R20 and 285/35R20 tires.
DrGumoLunatic managed to film the interior through the front side windows, revealing a very familiar two-screen arrangement comprising the instrument cluster and infotainment system. He also zoomed in on the center console controls, but due to said zooming, it's hard to see an EV mode button.
Being a plug-in hybrid, there's no mistaking the G90 and the five-door G99 will offer a few miles of all-electric range. The EPA rated the XM at 31 miles (50 kilometers), whereas the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 alone drinks fuel to the tune of 14 miles per gallon (16.8 liters per 100 kilometers). With a full charge of the 29.5-/25.7-kWh battery and 18.2 gallons (69 liters) of dinosaur juice in the tank, the BMW XM offers a total range of 300 miles (483 kilometers).
Photo: DrGumoLunatic on YouTube
Pretty bad, for sure, but remember that XM is advertised as the second car developed entirely by the M division after the M1 from the late 1970s. Truth be told, it's a shortened X7 with a bigger punch than that of the ICE-only Audi RS Q8. We also have to remember that M1 was based on a dedicated platform not shared with anything else, whereas its naturally aspirated inline-six engine was modified for a number of vehicles, including the E24 M635CSi, E28 M5, as well as the E23 745i.
The reason why the XM fares so poorly in terms of electric and total range is – of course – weight. Its high-voltage battery adds a helluva lot of weight, although props to BMW for distributing it 48.9 percent over the front axle and the remaining 51.1 percent over the rear axle. With the XM tipping the scales at 6,094 pounds (2,764 kilograms) in US spec, care to guess how much the G90 weighs?
Bimmerpost's ynguldyn understands that it's 2,435 kilograms (5,368 pounds), whereas the high-voltage battery has a usable capacity of 18.6 kilowatt hours. The S68 twin-turbo V8 that replaces the F90's S63 is reportedly good for 577 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm). As for the transmission-incorporated electric motor, the alleged output numbers are 194 hp and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm).
It goes without saying that the M5 Touring will be heavier still, which is detrimental to the vehicle's dynamic capabilities. Looking at the glass half full, the active roll bars, rear torque vectoring, and rear-wheel steering should help it in the twisties. And yes, the M5 Touring will be available stateside.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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