The BMW M5 is the high-performance flagship of the 5 Series range and, in its latest G90 generation, the first M5 to adopt a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Malaysia receives a single fully imported M5 M xDrive variant, currently priced at RM1,200,800 on-the-road without insurance. It originally entered the market at RM1,188,800 before the latest price revision.

Its M Hybrid system combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor integrated into the transmission, producing 535 KW (727 HP) and 1,000 NM. A 22.1 KWH gross / 18.6 KWH usable battery provides approximately 63-69 KM WLTP pure-electric range.

The cabin centres around BMW’s Curved Display, combining a 12.3-INCH digital instrument cluster and 14.9-INCH central touchscreen.

BMW Operating System 8.5 provides M-specific graphics and performance displays.

The dashboard also incorporates the BMW Interaction Bar, with ambient lighting that changes according to the selected M Mode.

The M-specific centre console houses the iDrive controller, M Mode, M Hybrid and vehicle setup controls, along with the red M Start/Stop button.

Drivers can configure powertrain, suspension, steering, braking and stability-control settings independently.

A wireless smartphone charging pad and covered storage are also provided.

The 12.3-INCH fully digital M instrument cluster provides M-specific layouts.

Information includes speed, engine revs, selected gear, battery state, hybrid energy flow and chassis settings.

A Head-Up Display projects speed, navigation and M-specific driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

The front features electrically adjustable M multifunction seats with lumbar adjustment, heating and memory functions.

Upholstery is finished in BMW Individual Merino leather, available in several colours including Black, Silverstone, Red and Kyalami Orange.

Rear occupants also receive seat heating.

The rear backrests fold in a 40:20:40 split.

The M5 accommodates five occupants.

Its 3,006 MM wheelbase provides generous rear legroom, while the 1,970 MM body width offers substantial shoulder room.

Despite the hybrid system and performance hardware, the cabin remains suitable for everyday executive-sedan use.

The flat-bottomed M leather multifunction steering wheel features a red 12 o’clock marker and large shift paddles.

Dedicated M1 and M2 buttons allow personalised combinations of drivetrain and chassis settings to be recalled instantly.

Electric tilt and telescopic steering-column adjustment is standard.

Storage includes a glove compartment, centre-console compartment, door pockets and smaller areas around the cabin.

The front armrest provides additional covered storage.

Rear passengers also receive seatback and door storage.

The M5 provides two front and two rear cup holders.

The front pair is positioned within the centre console.

The rear pair is integrated into the folding centre armrest.

The cabin provides two front USB-C ports and two rear USB-C ports.

A wireless smartphone charger is also standard.

A conventional power outlet is positioned within the front cabin.

The cabin combines Merino leather, carbon-fibre trim with high-gloss silver threads, aluminium detailing and an anthracite Alcantara headliner.

M seat belts and illuminated M detailing reinforce the performance-focused atmosphere.

Material and assembly quality remain appropriate for a flagship BMW M sedan.

Boot capacity stands at 466 L.

The hybrid battery reduces luggage space compared with the previous-generation M5, but the compartment remains practical for everyday use.

The 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats provide additional flexibility for longer items.

The M5 measures 5,096 MM long, 1,970 MM wide and 1,510 MM tall, with a 3,006 MM wheelbase.

Width including the mirrors reaches 2,156 MM, while kerb weight stands at a substantial 2,510 KG.

Its body is significantly wider than the regular 5 Series, with enlarged wheel arches accommodating the broader performance-oriented track.

The front is dominated by an illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille finished in gloss black.

Large angular air intakes, an M-specific central divider and heavily sculpted bumper provide the additional cooling required by the V8 hybrid drivetrain.

The Malaysian specification also receives the M Carbon Exterior Package, adding carbon-fibre exterior detailing.

The rear features a pronounced M Gurney-style spoiler, large diffuser and BMW M’s trademark quad exhaust outlets.

Vertical reflectors positioned at the outer edges emphasise the M5’s increased width.

The carbon-fibre rear spoiler forms part of the standard Malaysian M Carbon Exterior Package.

The M5 features Adaptive LED headlamps with M Lights Shadowline.

Automatic high-beam management adjusts illumination around surrounding traffic.

The darkened internal treatment gives the front lighting a more aggressive appearance than the regular 5 Series.

The M5 uses full-LED rear combination lamps with BMW’s latest slim lighting signature.

Dynamic lighting functions provide welcome and departure animations.

A high-mounted LED brake lamp is integrated into the rear-window area.

The Malaysian M5 receives carbon-fibre exterior mirror caps as part of the M Carbon Exterior Package.

The mirrors are electrically adjustable, heated and automatically folding, with integrated LED turn indicators.

Memory functionality allows the mirror positions to be linked with the driver's seat settings.

The M5 uses M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed front callipers and single-piston floating rear callipers.

Large drilled brake discs measure approximately 410 MM at the front and 398 MM at the rear.

Regenerative braking from the M Hybrid system operates together with the hydraulic braking system.

The M5 uses staggered 20-INCH front and 21-INCH rear M light-alloy wheels.

Front tyres measure 285/40 ZR20, while the rear uses 295/35 ZR21 performance tyres.

The staggered setup improves traction, steering response and lateral grip under high-performance driving.

The M5 features ABS, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control and Cornering Brake Control.

Autonomous Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning monitor potential obstacles ahead.

M xDrive, the Active M Differential and near-actuator wheel-slip control further improve stability when deploying the car’s 1,000 NM output.

The Malaysian M5 is equipped with front, side, curtain and driver-knee airbags.

Five three-point seat belts and seatbelt reminders are provided.

ISOFIX child-seat mounting points are fitted to the two outer rear seating positions.

The M5 offers extensive configuration through M Setup and M Mode.

M xDrive provides 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD rear-wheel-drive modes, allowing progressively more rear-biased handling.

M Hybrid settings include HYBRID, ELECTRIC and eCONTROL, while chassis and drivetrain behaviour can be configured separately.

M Mode provides Road, Sport and Track environments, with Track reducing driver-assistance intervention for circuit use.

A 14.9-INCH central touchscreen operates BMW Operating System 8.5.

Functions include BMW Navigation, Augmented View, ConnectedDrive services and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported.

Most functions can be controlled through touchscreen, voice commands or the physical iDrive controller.

The M5 features BMW’s advanced Driving Assistant package.

Systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering assistance, Blind Spot Monitoring and collision-warning functions.

Parking Assistant adds front and rear sensors, automatic parking and a 360-degree 3D Surround View camera.

Reversing Assistant can automatically retrace a previously driven low-speed route.

The Malaysian M5 features an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System.

The system provides premium audio coverage throughout the cabin.

BMW IconicSounds Electric additionally creates a specially developed soundscape during electric and hybrid driving.

The M5 uses a 4,395 CC M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine.

The combustion engine develops 430 KW (577 HP / 585 PS) and 750 NM.

An electric motor integrated into the transmission contributes 145 KW (194 HP / 197 PS) and 280 NM.

Through a transmission pre-gearing stage, the motor’s effective torque contribution at the transmission input is considerably higher.

Combined system output stands at 535 KW (727 HP) and 1,000 NM.

Power is transmitted through an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic.

The electric motor is integrated directly into the transmission housing.

This arrangement enables pure-electric driving, regenerative braking and immediate electric torque assistance during acceleration.

The M5 features M xDrive all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled Active M Differential at the rear.

The system is rear-biased during normal performance driving.

Drivers can select 4WD Sport for greater rear-axle involvement or completely disengage the front axle through 2WD mode when stability control is switched off.

The M5 accelerates from 0-100 KM/H in 3.5 seconds.

The 0-200 KM/H sprint takes approximately 10.9 seconds, while 80-120 KM/H requires only 2.9 seconds.

Standard maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 KM/H, increasing to 305 KM/H with the M Driver’s Package.

Pure-electric operation is possible at speeds of up to 140 KM/H.

Official weighted combined fuel consumption stands at approximately 1.6-1.9 L/100 KM WLTP when regularly charged.

Electrical consumption is rated at approximately 25-26.8 KWH/100 KM.

The battery provides 18.6 KWH usable capacity, with gross capacity around 22.1 KWH, giving 63-69 KM WLTP pure-electric range.

Maximum AC charging input is 11 KW, allowing a 0-100% recharge in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes under ideal conditions.

The M5 does not support DC fast charging.

Standard equipment includes Comfort Access, proximity locking and unlocking, automatic wipers, powered front seats with memory and a contactless powered boot lid.

A wireless smartphone charger and BMW Digital Key functionality further improve everyday convenience.

Electrically operated rear-window sunshades also improve rear-passenger comfort.

The M5 features multi-zone automatic climate control with dedicated rear air-conditioning vents and rear temperature adjustment.

Rear occupants therefore receive direct climate control rather than relying solely on front dashboard airflow.

Combined with heated rear seats, the M5 remains suitable for executive passenger use despite its performance focus.

The M5 uses double-wishbone front suspension and a five-link rear axle.

Adaptive M Suspension electronically adjusts damping, with Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings available.

For the first time on an M5, Integral Active Steering is standard, turning the rear wheels by up to approximately 1.5 degrees to improve manoeuvrability at low speeds and stability at higher speeds.

The car’s substantial 2,510 KG kerb weight is noticeable, but sophisticated chassis control helps maintain both body control and long-distance refinement.

The plug-in hybrid drivetrain allows the M5 to travel quietly under electric power during shorter urban journeys.

Extensive insulation helps suppress wind and road noise during highway driving.

When more character is desired, the M Sport exhaust system and BMW IconicSounds Electric deliberately introduce a stronger soundtrack according to the selected driving mode.

The BMW M5 represents the biggest technological shift in the model’s history, moving from a conventional twin-turbo V8 to a full M Hybrid plug-in hybrid system.

Its 727 HP and 1,000 NM output makes it considerably more powerful than the previous M5 Competition, while 0-100 KM/H still takes just 3.5 seconds despite the new car weighing 2,510 KG.

Electrification also brings genuine everyday benefits, with 63-69 KM WLTP electric range and 11 KW AC charging, allowing shorter journeys to be completed without using the V8.

Its dynamic hardware remains extensive, including M xDrive with 2WD mode, Active M Differential, Adaptive M Suspension, Integral Active Steering and M Compound brakes.

At RM1,200,800 OTR without insurance, the latest M5 is extremely expensive and its 2.5-tonne kerb weight remains its biggest departure from the traditionally lightweight M5 formula. Nevertheless, its combination of V8 character, 727 HP performance, electric commuting capability and executive-sedan practicality makes it one of BMW M’s most technically advanced road cars.