The impending version of this famous Five is more expensive than its forebear - but way cheaper than the other M with this new plug-in hybrid powertrain.

CLOSE to quarter of a million dollars is needed to buy the next generation BMW M5, though that sticker also represents a saving of sorts.

While this M5 is $50,000 more than the last, it’s cheaper by $100k than the only other model sporting with the latest type-first drivetrain - a car has proven to be far more challenging to M fans.

Undoubtedly the seventh-generation M5 landing soon with a starting price of $244,900 will spark up debate for being the first of its kind to deliver with an electrified hybrid powertrain - a plug-in type that makes it the first of this famous breed to cope Road User Charges.

Yet it will surely be much less divisive than the alternate setting for this 535kW/1000Nm M Hybrid V8; the utterly polarising XM Label Red that sits uneasily in the M ranks for more than just its $345,900 price tag.

As just BMW M Division’s second bespoke car ever, the XM is a successor to the M1 of the 1970s’ and as an especially brutal-looking Sport Utility, is a complete antithesis of not just that famous low-slung coupe, but also every other current BMW as it divorces substantially from the current Munich styling language.

In providing pricing and some specification detail today, BMW New Zealand did not reference the XM but instead highlighted that the powertrain is derived from the BMW M Hybrid World Endurance Championship (WEC) racecar.

The petrol-fed side is familiar; it is effectively the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre eight cylinder petrol as before. What’s new is the a new hybrid system that pairs this thumper with a powerful electric motor, integrated within the casing of the eight-speed auto, and a sizeable battery.

As per the XM, the 4.4-litre V8 develops 430kW and 750Nm in isolation while also being capable of spinning to 7200rpm. 

The maximum output of the electric motor – integrated in the transmission – is 145kW with nominal torque of 280Nm, though a pre-gearing stage enables effective torque at the transmission input to be increased to 450Nm.

In both cars, power transfers courtesy of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, highly configurable M xDrive all-wheel-drive and electronically controlled Active M Differential.

Electric involvement makes this the heaviest M5 ever. The sedan weighes in at a hefty 2444kg, which makes it 453kg heavier than the previous car. However, all that phat compensates for the extra fat, with BMW here claiming the NZ-spec car will hit 100kmh from a standing start in 3.5 seconds, a 0.2s advantage over the XM. This market’s car will achieve a top speed of 305kmh due to the offering of M Driver’s Package as standard equipment.  

In the M5, as per the XM, the electric motor feeds off a 18.9kWh battery and can propel  to a top speed of 140kmh. It enables an electric-only driving range of 67-69 kilometres on the WLTP testing cycle.  

Don’t like the sound signature of an electric? BMW IconicSounds Electric provides an acoustic accompaniment to the workings of the electric motor, the make says. It believes the M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic responses to throttle inputs when the M5 is operating in all-electric mode.  

With the electric involvement at full strength, the CO2 emissions rating is a paltry 37g/km. Recharging the battery from an external source can be done at up to 7.4kW.

The extra weight raised some challenges. So, while the M5 continues with adaptive damping, big brakes and an electronically-controlled rear differential, the car for the first time gets Integral Active Steer. 

That’s BMW-speak name for rear-wheel steering, which helps the car feel more agile and light on its feet at lower speeds while enhancing stability once the pace increases. There are mixed-size wheels and special tyres as well, of course, plus a much wider track, especially at the front.

The wider wheel arches aren’t the only clues to it being the sporting one. It also has more bulbous bumpers front and rear, the radiator grille has a different design to that of other 5 Series models and it achieves big air intakes. Special door mirrors and unique alloys come with the package, as do a new ‘M5’ badge at the trailing end of the side glass, a modest boot spoiler and a prominent diffuser housing the expected quad exhaust outlets. There’s also an optional carbon roof.

The interior takes all the usual enhancements. There’s a unique centre console layout, special graphics for the ‘Curved Display’ instruments and touchscreen, leather upholstery and a smattering of ‘M5’ badges and logos. There are new M1/M2 buttons that are illuminated, plus the first-ever flat-bottomed steering wheel in an M5.

BMW NZ has gone for a fulsome specification here, but there’s are cost-extras with paint - Storm Bay for $4100 and Frozen Deep Grey, for $7100 - and brakes. Tick off M Carbon Ceramic stoppers and you add a heart-stopping $19k to the sticker.

The Auckland-based distributor has not announced a specific launch date, but says deliveries will start in quarter four; so, keep an eye out from October onward.