As you’re well aware, BMW is ditching the S63 from the M lineup in favor of the heavily revised S68. Alternatively described as being an all-new engine, this 4.4-liter V8 premiered in the facelifted X7 M60i with mild-hybrid assistance.
A small electric motor located in the ZF-supplied automatic transmission boosts the internal combustion engine with 9 kW and 200 Nm of torque. Converted to imperial, that's 12 horsepower and 148 pound-feet.
BMW also developed this engine for plug-in hybrids, beginning with the visually challenged XM sport utility vehicle. Basically an X7 with an uglier face and fewer seats, the XM develops a whopping 738 horsepower in Label Red specification. Peak torque is rated at 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm), which is completely nuts. On the other hand, the XM Label Red is a bit on the porky side of SUVs.
The same applies to the next-generation M5 compared to rivaling sedans and – for the time first since the E61 – wagons. Confirmed to launch in 2024 for the 2025 model year, the all-new M5 will certainly head to the United States in four-door attire. BMW Blog understands that Munich’s favorite son intends to bring the five-door sibling to North America as well, although no other version of the 5 Series Touring will set foot on US soil according to the publication’s sources.
In other words, the US and Canadian markets will also miss on the i5 M60 Touring. Curiously touted as the top 5 Series version despite being outclassed by the M5 Touring on paper, the i5 M60 Touring packs 593 horsepower and 605 pound-feet (820 Nm) of torque from a dual-motor setup.
Photo: SH Proshots / edited
More than adequate for a mid-size luxury sedan (and soon-to-be-unveiled wagon), that’s for certain! Be that as it may, remember that the i5 M60 does weigh 2,305 kilograms (5,082 pounds). The outgoing M5 is 1,895 kilograms (4,178 pounds) in European spec, meaning that its long-awaited successor will tip the scales at over two metric tons.
Is that a bad thing? For the corner-carving peeps among us, it sure is! Looking at the glass half full, the mad professors at M didn’t really have a choice. Not only does the competition work on electrified or fully electric rivals for the M5 sedan and wagon, but the plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain of the G90 sedan and G99 wagon helps BMW reduce CO2 emissions while improving fuel efficiency.
Also consider how an electric motor develops torque compared to a combustion engine. That near-instant torque will make the 2025 BMW M5 seriously fast in a straight-line showdown, although the added weight from the high-voltage battery pack will hinder the newcomer in the twisties.
If the M5 Touring does make it stateside, it will have to duke it out with the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon (a.k.a. T-Modell in Germany) and Audi RS 6 Avant. Both of them will be redesigned in the near future, with Merc expected to drop the V8 of the E 63 in favor of an AMG-enhanced I6 engine. As for the RS 6, the four-ringed automaker from Ingolstadt confirmed plug-in hybrid muscle. The subsequent RS 6 will switch to an electric powertrain.
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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