Looks like BMW is listening, but I'm not sure they are hearing.
BMW Defends The New M5 Hybrid’s Massive Weight Penalty
June 28, 2024
When technical specifications of the new M5 leaked in mid-February, the curb weight left enthusiasts worried. BMW confirmed our worst fears when it unveiled the G90 earlier this week. Heavier than even the fully electric i5 M60, the seventh-gen sports sedan tips the scales at 5,390 pounds (2,445 kilograms) in the US and 5,368 lbs (2,435 kg) in Europe. Why is it so heavy? Although the car is larger than its predecessor, the weight penalty is primarily caused by the adoption of a plug-in hybrid setup.
In an interview with Top Gear magazine, the
BMW M boss said the electric bits have added about 400 kilograms (882 pounds) of fat. Mind you, the new M5 has actually put on 474 kg (1,045 pounds) if we’re comparing the US-spec G90 to the F90 before it. Frank van Meel explains why they went with a plug-in hybrid setup instead of a regular hybrid with a smaller battery that would’ve been lighter.
Expect the upcoming M5 Touring to have an identical powertrain, but possibly even more weight. Wagons tend to be slightly heavier than the sedans they’re based upon. For example, an M3 Competition xDrive Sedan weighs 1,780 kg (3,924 lbs) in Europe whereas the M3 Touring is 1,865 kg (4,111 lbs). That’s an extra 85 kg (187 lbs) the more practical body style carries around.
https://www.bmwblog.com/2024/06/28/b...lty-m5-hybrid/
Is it just me or does the name Frank van Meel tend to precede a product that triggers my gad reflex?
