The BMW M5 nameplate is now on its seventh generation. And for the first time ever, it’s now part of a new world wherein hybridization is fast becoming the new normal. Debuting globally last year, the all-new BMW is now in the Philippines, courtesy of SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, the German brand’s official local distributor.
For the Philippine market, BMW checked the box for 2 variants of the all-new M5. It comes in both sedan (M5) and wagon (M5 Touring) bodies, extending its reach to a wider market looking for a high-performance family car.
On the outside, the M5 and M5 Touring flaunt a meaner front and rear body styling, blending both BMW’s M division’s racing and luxury DNAs. Both cars are fitted with the redesigned BMW kidney grille. What’s distinctive about BMW’s new grille designs nowadays is that, for some models like this all-new M5, the grilles are outlined with an LED strip. So in the night, the all-new M5 still makes its presence seen – And it leaves the scene with a footnote in the form of 4 sports tailpipes, 2 on each side.
The M5 carries the M Carbon, a special exterior package that gives it a boost in sporty styling. This package includes a carbon roof, side mirrors, and a rear spoiler. On the other hand, the M5 Touring, being a wagon, showcases a longer roofline and extra cargo space at the back.
Inside, the M5 and M5 Touring cockpit balances track-ready functionality with executive-level comfort. The M division gave both cars a host of features that can be better appreciated when the situation is right for high-performance drives. These include multifunction seats wrapped in Merino leather, a flat-bottom steering wheel, M-specific dash graphics and controls, and an option to have key interior trims in carbon fiber or aluminum.
The interior also has BMW’s iDrive cockpit, prominently placed at the center dash. It features a sizable curved display that functions as both a driver information cluster and an infotainment system. With the latest BMW Operating System 8.5, the iDrive allows the occupant to control functions such as air-conditioning, seat heating, and steering wheel heating, among others. The best part is that the system supports gesture and voice commands, so one can just talk or wave to have it do something within its capabilities.
And now for the most exciting part – the new hybrid powertrain. Both the M5 and the M5 Touring are fitted with a high-revving twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine with an integrated electric motor hooked up to an 8-speed transmission. Combined, the system produces 727 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, which can achieve a maximum speed of 305 km/h if the M Driver’s Package is equipped.
A high-voltage 18.6 kWh battery pack is also mounted just beneath the chassis for all-electric driving. In EV mode, the all-new M5 can be driven at speeds of up to 140 km/h. The M5 and the M5 Touring share this EV system, but the former tops out at a range of 69 km, while the latter can reach 67 km.
Finally, both the M5 and M5 Touring come with the M xDrive, a BMW-developed rear-wheel biased all-wheel-drive system. If needed, the driver can switch to full rear-wheel drive for a more spirited moment behind the wheel.
The all-new BMW M5 and M5 Touring are stickered at P12,790,000. Sure, the numbers are high, but when compared to how the previous generation M5 was priced in the Philippines before, the all-new M5 is cheaper. That’s because the previous generation M5 retailed at around P13.69-million, a price difference of roughly P900,000. Mind you, the M5 predecessor we’re talking about here is the higher-spec M5 Competition which was sold in 2021.
This surprising number can be attributed to a lot of factors, but to us, it could be due to the EVIDA Law advantage. Under the law, a long-term 50% excise tax exemption is placed on “hybrid vehicles that operate both by fuel and battery.” So if going by this thought, all-new BMW M5 buyers may thank the EVIDA Law for making them save almost P1-million. Fair enough.
The P12.79-million price comes with a 5-year comprehensive warranty (or 200,000 kms, whichever comes first) and an 8-year (or 120,000 kms, whichever comes first) warranty for the battery pack. BMW also throws in a portable charger.
