Although the BMW 5 Series and i5 were both revealed a few weeks ago, we have to wait a bit longer to properly see the upcoming high-performance M5.

    The latest spy photos of a camouflaged BMW M5 prototype at the Nurburgring show more of the front bumper than we have seen to date.

    The front bumper appears to be an aggressive unit with plenty of openings and vents to allow the car to keep its cool.

    As previously reported, the next BMW M5 will reportedly feature a version of the plug-in hybrid system that debuted in the XM SUV.

    In the XM Label Red, the setup combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 with an electric motor to deliver a combined 550kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.

    The current M5 uses a non-electrified 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 460kW and 750Nm.

    The XM has a hybrid-specific M xDrive all-wheel drive system which includes an electronic rear differential lock in the rear axle transmission.

    It also features an active-roll system, which is used on plug-in hybrid versions of the regular 5 Series and electric i5.

    Claimed electric range in the XM is up to 88km thanks to a 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

    Whether the M5 will feature exactly the same version of the PHEV powertrain, or whether it’ll be held back slightly to give the XM some breathing space as a flagship, remains to be seen.

    In June last year Bimmerpost forum member ynguldyn, who claims to compile future product information from leaks within BMW, said the next M5 will also be available in a Touring wagon body style.

    The sedan, codenamed G90, will reportedly enter production in July 2024, with the G99 Touring following in November.

    It’s expected the interior of the new M5 won’t stray too far away from what the 5 Series/i5 looks like, though it will more than likely get the M treatment.

    The dashboard on the 5 Series/i5, like a number of recent BMW models, is dominated by a curved display that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen running the Linux-based BMW Operating System 8.5.

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    MORE: Everything BMW M5

    Jack Quick

    Jack Quick is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne. Jack studied journalism and photography at Deakin University in Burwood, and previously represented the university in dance nationally. In his spare time, he loves to pump Charli XCX and play a bit of Grand Theft Auto. He’s also the proud owner of a blue, manual 2020 Suzuki Jimny.

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