BMW M5 2026: 0-60, Specs & Price
The 2026 BMW M5 (G90) is the first M5 in the model's 40-year history to use a hybrid powertrain. Its S68 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is paired with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic gearbox, producing 717 combined horsepower. BMW claims 3.4 seconds 0-60; Car and Driver independently tested 3.0 seconds with launch control, making the G90 M5 one of the quickest sedans ever produced, faster than the previous F90 M5's tested figures despite weighing more than 5,000 lbs.
2026 BMW M5 G90: Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | S68 4.4L twin-turbo V8 + electric motor |
| Combined output | 717 hp / 738 lb-ft torque |
| V8 alone | 585 hp |
| Electric motor alone | 194 hp (integrated rear axle) |
| Transmission | 8-speed M Steptronic with Drivelogic |
| Drive | M xDrive AWD |
| 0-60 mph (BMW claim) | 3.4s |
| 0-60 mph (C&D tested) | 3.0s |
| Quarter mile | 10.9s @ 130 mph |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 155 mph (190 mph with M Driver's Package) |
| Curb weight | approximately 5,080 lbs |
| EV range | approximately 20 miles (EPA pending) |
| Starting MSRP | $117,900 |
BMW Claim vs. Independent Testing
BMW's 3.4-second claim is the official figure with standard launch conditions. Car and Driver's 3.0-second result used M Launch Control active on a prepped surface, consistent with how BMW tests its competitors. The 0.4-second gap is larger than typical but not unusual for a car where BMW is deliberately conservative: the G90 M5 is heavier than any previous M5 and uses a novel electrified drivetrain where calibration is still being refined across software updates.
Quarter-mile passes land at 10.9 seconds and approximately 130 mph, which puts the G90 M5 in the same tier as the previous Porsche 911 Turbo S (non-hybrid). You can use the quarter-mile calculator to see how that 130 mph trap speed corresponds to estimated horsepower figures.
The PHEV Powertrain Explained
The G90 M5 uses a 18.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to power a 194-horsepower electric motor integrated at the rear axle (this is separate from the front axle, so true AWD torque vectoring is available). The combined system produces 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over the F90 M5's 600 hp.
In pure EV mode, the car runs the rear motor only at up to 80 mph for approximately 20 miles. In Sport and Sport+ modes, the ICE runs continuously and the electric motor supplements torque on demand. Launch Control activates both systems simultaneously, which explains the gap between the conservative street-launch 3.4s and the full-system 3.0s.
The hybrid system adds roughly 500 lbs compared to an equivalent non-PHEV configuration. This is the heaviest M5 ever built, a trade-off BMW accepted to meet emissions targets for markets where the plug-in designation affects taxation. For drivers who care about weight, use the power-to-weight calculator to compare how the 717 hp maps to the ~5,080 lb curb weight.
G90 vs. F90: How Much Faster Is It?
The outgoing F90 M5 Competition produced 627 hp and was tested at 3.1 seconds by Car and Driver. The G90 is 3.0 seconds by the same tester, a marginal improvement despite 90 additional horsepower, because the extra weight largely absorbs the power gain in launch dynamics. Where the G90 improves meaningfully over the F90 is in mid-range acceleration: the electric motor fills torque seamlessly between 40-80 mph, a zone where the F90's twin-turbo V8 had small gaps in surge.
The F90 was the faster-feeling car at the limit due to its lower weight. The G90 is objectively quicker in a straight line and more tractable in mixed-speed driving.
Competitors in the $100K-$150K Range
At $117,900, the G90 M5 competes in a segment with the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. See the fastest sedans 2026 rankings for a full comparison. Among them:
| Competitor | 0-60 (tested) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 G90 (2026) | 3.0s (C&D) | $117,900 |
| Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid | 3.1s (C&D) | $173,900 |
| Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Perf. | 3.1s (C&D) | $189,900 |
| Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | 3.6s (C&D) | $89,990 |
The G90 M5 is the fastest of the four by independent testing and the cheapest of the three European PHEV sedans, despite costing $117,900.
Real-World 0-60: What to Expect on the Street
BMW's 3.4-second claim is what most buyers will achieve in good but not optimal conditions. The full 3.0-second C&D time requires:
- Launch Control enabled (M Launch Control system)
- Warm battery (at least partial state of charge above 20%)
- Prepped or dry clean pavement
- Optimized tire temperature (2-3 moderate pulls before a serious launch)
Without launch control, expect 3.2-3.6 seconds depending on conditions. FastTrack's GPS timing tools accurately capture 0-60, 0-100, and quarter-mile splits at ±0.02 second accuracy, comparable to a Dragy or RaceBox device. The trap speed calculator can cross-check your G90 M5's quarter-mile results against the expected 130 mph trap.
In normal driving on street tires without prepping: expect 3.5-3.8 seconds, consistent with what any 5,000-lb+ performance sedan delivers outside optimal conditions.
Production and Availability
BMW began G90 M5 deliveries in the US market in late 2025. The base sedan starts at $117,900. An M5 Touring wagon is expected to follow in calendar 2026 at a slight premium. The M5 CS performance variant, typically the lightest and fastest M5 in each generation, has not been announced for the G90 but is expected by 2027-2028 based on historical M product cycles.
All G90 M5 units include M xDrive as standard, M Compound brakes, and the M Professional instrument cluster with lap timer support. Optional M Carbon ceramic brakes ($8,800) reduce unsprung weight but do not materially improve 0-60 or quarter-mile times.
FAQ
How fast is the 2026 BMW M5 G90?
BMW claims 3.4 seconds 0-60 mph with 1-foot rollout. Car and Driver independently tested 3.0 seconds with launch control active. Quarter-mile time is 10.9 seconds at approximately 130 mph. It is among the fastest four-door sedans ever tested independently.
What is the 2026 BMW M5's horsepower?
The G90 M5 produces 717 combined horsepower: 585 hp from the S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 plus 194 hp from a rear-axle-integrated electric motor. Torque is 738 lb-ft combined.
How does the G90 M5 compare to the previous F90 M5?
Car and Driver tested the F90 M5 Competition at 3.1 seconds and the G90 at 3.0 seconds. The G90 has 90 more combined horsepower but weighs approximately 500 lbs more, which largely offsets the power advantage in launch dynamics. The G90 is faster in the 40-80 mph range due to the electric motor's torque fill.
Is the 2026 BMW M5 worth buying over the Porsche Panamera Turbo?
The G90 M5 at $117,900 is faster by independent testing (3.0s vs. 3.1s) and $56,000 less expensive than the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid ($173,900). The Panamera offers slightly more interior refinement and a wagon body option in the same trim level. For straight-line performance per dollar, the M5 G90 wins this comparison clearly.
What is the M5 G90's real-world fuel economy?
BMW has not published a final EPA figure at time of writing. European WLTP figures suggest combined 23-28 mpg in hybrid mode and approximately 20 miles of EV range. Real-world US testers have reported 18-22 mpg in mixed driving with a depleted battery, comparable to the F90's 17 mpg combined.