NOW the dust has finally settled on Bumblebee 1000’s Talladega Nights road trip and life has returned to normal.
I can reflect on another amazing adventure and an awesome time spent behind the wheel of the ballistic new BMW M5.
I drove the M5 at Bumblebee’s first road trip of 2025 in April, and was trying to source the new M2 for this one in June, but that didn’t work out.
However I was more than happy to be back behind the wheel of this beast again as it’s the most powerful M5 ever, producing a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and impressive 1,000Nm of torque.
And it’s also the first plug-in hybrid M5 ever, with a huge 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 crammed under the bonnet that works alongside a 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery.
But all of the above adds weight, a lot of it, making it the heaviest M5 ever too — weighing in at 2,510kg — so with a full tank of petrol, four passengers on-board plus the driver, you could be tipping the scales at three tonnes.
Key Facts:
BMW G90 M5
Cost: From €137,055
Engine: 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor
Power: 727bhp
Torque: 1,000Nm
0-100kph: 3.5 seconds
Top Speed: 305kph
Economy: 48.7mpg
Real world: 30.2mpg
Emissions: 43g/km
Rivals: Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera
It can launch from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package fitted, max out at 305kph, which makes the new M5’s performance figures all the more impressive.
BMW has done a great job trying to hide the weight, and it’s only when cornering hard or under heavy braking that you really notice its heaviness.
My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, as is the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering.
This allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 1.5° allowing the M5 to become a lot more nimble and sure-footed than you’d think for a heavy, five-seater saloon.
On Bumblebee 1000 you cover a lot of miles, so being very comfortable over long distances is another plus point for the M5.
The battery takes 2 hours 30 minutes to fully charge providing you with a handy 70km electric-only range too, plus as the M5 is a PHEV, the annual road tax is only €140.
BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure, and impressive stats like those are possible with a fully charged battery and very gentle driving.
But with so much power available and when driving in an environment like Bumblebee, the big Beemer is a thirsty beast.
After the road trip ended, the fun was over and I returned home from the Portlaoise Plaza at a more leisurely pace.
And here I recorded 30.2mpg, not bad for a car that has a top speed of over 300km.
It could be louder though.
That big V8 should really be allowed to sing, but sadly the M5 is too quiet for its own good.
Inside, BMW’s brilliant curved dual screens dominate the dash, and like the exterior, there is carbon trim everywhere.
The front sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, with an illuminated M badge and there are heated seats in the back.
The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is €139,515 but that’s before you start ticking boxes and there are loads of options to choose from.
