[ad_1]
SUVs rule the world but sedans aren’t dead yet. The German automaker still offers four doors for buyers to choose from, and the BMW M5 is arguably the king of all. The next-generation M5 is under development and testing; we’ve captured the prototype on camera and now we see a test car on the M equivalent of Disneyland – the Nürburgring.
Our spy photographer camped near the Pflanzgarten parking area for this shoot. Heavy camouflage is still commonplace, but the bright sunlight gives us a chance to explore the outside for clues as to what lies beneath the wrapper. For starters, this is definitely an M5, as nothing misses the big brakes, wide tires and quad exhaust outlets at the rear. Enlarging the front fascia reveals some interesting bumps and curves in the corners that might be production specs, but the headlights likely aren’t. It’s the same story on the rear, though there’s a more rugged prototype vibe in how the rear fascia looks.
And this car looks fast! Notice how the wheel gap on the front fender enlarges as it passes through the camera. That suggests there’s been some serious acceleration going on, especially when compared to other photos in this set which show the same car on a public road. We know the next M5 is getting a hybrid powertrain, and not just because this prototype is clearly labeled as a hybrid vehicle. The rumor mill is filled with talk of a crazy M5 plug-in hybrid that pairs a V8 with two electric motors. Its output can reach 750 horsepower, which would make the M5 an absolute monster.
Hybrid components also add weight, and we can see a force-weight attraction in this image. Twisting the M5’s suspension to handle the thrust and mass of the super-sedan hybrid certainly required extensive testing. The almost comical wheel gaps and ground clearance in some of these shots show that there’s still a lot of work in progress.
The new BMW M5 is still in development, at least from an outsider’s point of view. Our first prototype look came in January 2022, and before the M5 arrives, BMW will be debuting the new 5 Series. It could happen later this year as a 2023 model, but we don’t expect the next-gen M5 to debut until late 2023 or maybe even 2024.
[ad_2]
Source link
