The BMW M5 now comes with 717bhp of plug-in hybrid power

BMW has unveiled the new M5, and just like the Porsche 911 or the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E, this automotive icon is now electrified.

Under the new sheet metal, this new M5 now makes use of a 577bhp 4.4-litre V8 engine paired with a 194bhp electric motor. Combined, these offer up a system total output of 717bhp, alongside an appealing 1,000Nm of total torque.

The BMW M5 now comes equipped with a 717bhp plug-in-hybrid drivetrain, including an 18.6kWh battery that can be charged at up to 7.4kW

Not so impressive is the fact that the car now weighs in at a total of 2,435kg (the BMW M5 unveiled in 2020 tipped the scales here at just 1,895kg, mind), and it shows: BMW states that this new car will complete the century sprint in just 3.5 seconds, whereas the previous car posted a sprint time of 3.4 seconds.

Still, take things easy in this new BMW M5 and you'll be able to chalk up a maximum all-electric range of 69km, and hit speeds of up to 140km/h without stirring that V8, thanks to an 18.6kWh battery that can be charged up to 7.4kW.

All this power, of course, is sent to the wheels via a rear-biased all-wheel drive system, although the driver may opt to send all power to the rear wheels by turning the car's Dynamic Stability Control system off.

The M5 gets an embossed 'M5' logo at its Hofmeister kink, alongside a two-section diffuser at its rear

Do this and you'll still have the car's double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle suspension setup to depend on, which get model-specific kinematics and elastokinematics. BMW also states that the car's electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering sports a rigid connection to its front axle subframe, ensuring optimal feedback from the road and a high degree of directional accuracy.

Further aiding affairs here is an adaptive M suspension system that adds electronically controlled dampers, as well as BMW's Integral Active Steering: An all-wheel steering system that can steer the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees. 

All these come wrapped within an exterior that features a nearly entirely enclosed gloss black kidney grille with the M-typical double-bar and bearing an M5 badge; flared wheel arches that increase the M5's width by 75mm at the front and 48mm at the rear; and at the rear, a spoiler and two-section diffuser. You'll also want to note that this car sports an embossed 'M5' logo at its Hofmeister kink.

The newly designed leather steering wheel of the BMW M5 comes in a three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim, decorative stitching in BMW M GmbH colours, and a red centre marker in the 12 o'clock position

In the cabin, meanwhile, you'll get a M-specific centre console, a flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel with illuminated M buttons, M multifunction seats, as well as BMW's Curved Display, which runs the firm's Operating System 8.5 and gets M-specific content.

The BMW M5 will make its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed come July 2024, and production of the car is set to start at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in the same month.