Electrified BMW M5 arrives

BMW has officially brought in the new 2026 M5 to the Philippines, not just the sedan but also a Touring variant, BMW-speak for wagon, and both come with a powerful plug-in hybrid system.

The heart of the new M5 is a familiar one, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in other M models like the XM. Alone, the engine makes 577 hp and 750 Nm of torque. But paired with an electric motor built into the 8-speed automatic gearbox, the combined power shoots up to 717 hp and a massive 1,000 Nm of torque. That’s enough to rocket this large sedan (or wagon) from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

It’s not the lightest machine on the road, tipping the scales at over 2.4 tons, but the electric assist gives it a sharp throttle response and smooth power delivery. Just pull back the left paddle shifter, and you’ll trigger Boost Mode; everything goes into full attack.

As a plug-in hybrid, the M5 isn’t just about speed. It also has an 18.6-kWh battery pack that allows you to drive up to 67 km purely on electric power. That means no fuel and no emissions, for a while, at least. That means you can enjoy green plates and skip coding days. The battery can be fully charged in a little over three hours using a 7.4 kW charger, which comes free with every purchase.

While most hybrids play it safe, this one still behaves like a proper M car. The M xDrive system is rear-biased, but if you want to get wild, you can switch off the front axle and turn it into a rear-wheel drive drift machine. An active differential also helps distribute torque between the rear wheels, letting the car pivot more aggressively in corners.

Add adaptive suspension, massive brakes (with optional carbon-ceramic ones), and staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels, and the M5 continues to be a track weapon disguised as a business car.

There’s no mistaking the M5 for a regular 5 Series. The new one has more aggressive styling, wider fenders, and a cleaner overall look thanks to a higher ratio of body-colored surfaces. The sedan gets carbon fiber elements like the roof, mirrors, and spoiler if you opt for the M Carbon package. The Touring, meanwhile, ditches the carbon roof for a large panoramic glass panel.

Both come standard with adaptive LED headlights and get the trademark illuminated kidney grille. There’s a light carpet projected onto the ground when you unlock the car.

Inside, the M5 sticks to BMW’s new design language: a wide curved display, ambient lighting with programmable colors (including the M tricolor), and even gaming capabilities via AirConsole if you’re stuck waiting in the car.

You also get a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, heated and ventilated multifunction seats covered in Merino leather, and the latest iDrive 8.5 software. The Touring variant adds practicality with a boot space that can expand from 500 to 1,630 liters.

Advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and emergency stop assist come standard, and you can personalize nearly every aspect of the drive using BMW’s M Setup menus.

The 2026 BMW M5, both in sedan and Touring form, is now available in the Philippines with a starting price of P12.79 million. That price includes a 7-kW AC home charger, a five-year vehicle warranty, and an eight-year battery warranty.

It’s fast, it’s heavy, it’s electrified, and now it comes with a trunk big enough for a grocery run or a weekend escape. Welcome back, M5.