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The Irish Sun

The new 727bhp BMW M5 is big, beautiful and bloody ballistic plus it's a PHEV for the first time ever

LAST week, I completed Bumblebee 1000's latest roadtrip in the ballistic new BMW M5. This incredible machine is the most powerful M5 ever, and also the first plug-in hybrid M5. Advertisement Combined, its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery produce a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. It's astonishingly fast, able to blitz 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package it will keep charging all the way to 305kph. 7 BUMBLEBEE BEAST: The M5 made the perfect machine for Bumblebee 1000's latest charity roadtrip as it's supercar-fast and super comfy on long journeys Credit: Jacob Liggett But fitting the engine and hybrid system into a big five-door family saloon adds weight. And the fact the new M5 tips the scales at 2,510kg has been a huge topic of discussion. Advertisement But the majority of those complaining about the weight have not driven it, because if you did, then you would understand how incredible a job the BMW boffins have done to mask that weight. When cornering hard on uneven surfaces or under heavy braking, sure, you notice the weight, but you really have to be pushing the M5 to the max. 7 BELLY OF THE BEAST: The M5's 4.4-litre, twin-tubo V8 and hybrid system produces an incredible 727bhp Credit: Paddy McGrath Key facts: BMW M5 Cost: From €137,055 (From £111,405 in the UK) Engine: 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor and 18.6kWh battery Power: 727bhp Torque: 1,000Nm 0-100kph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 305kph Economy: 148.7mpg Emissions: 43g/km Rivals: Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera It comes with Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering,. Advertisement This clever feature can steer the rear wheels by up to 1.5° and this improves directional stability at high speeds, as well as agility and comfort when manoeuvring. Most read in Motors Review Review When driven sensibly it's a very comfortable long-distance cruiser, and if you keep the battery charged it's economical too. BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure. I didn't see results as good as that but on my way to Bumblebee, I filled the M5 with petrol in Newry and drove to Barberstown Castle near Dublin and the gauge just dipped below full. 7 BRING THE NOISE: It comes fitted with an M Exhaust but it could be louder to really let that big V8 sound its best as that's the only area the M5 is lacking Credit: Paddy McGrath Advertisement And it does have a very useful 70km electric-only range too. But step on the gas and the M5 has the power to annihilate the Autobahn with ease. It will explode into life, pinning you back in your seat as it relentlessly slams through all of its eight gears at an alarming rate, making wonderful noises out of the twin-exit dual exhausts. But my one complaint is that it could be louder, even fitted with the M Exhaust — I'd love to hear more roar from that big V8. Behind the steering wheel are two discrete M1 and M2 buttons that allow you to quickly switch between different set-ups for engine, chassis, steering and brakes, so choose M2 for manic and M1 for the full maniac mode. Advertisement 7 MAGIC NUMBERS: Red buttons behind the wheel allow you to quickly switch between different set-ups for engine, chassis, steering and brakes so choose M2 for manic and M1 for the full maniac mode Credit: Paddy McGrath You can also switch the M5's all-wheel-drive M xDrive system from 4WD to 2WD. However this is best suited to track driving as you wouldn't be long burning through a set of rear tyres. My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, doing a phenomenal job of bringing the big Beemer to a stop. Advertisement It also came with M Performance Parts that add carbon door mirror, boot spoiler and exhaust tips — even the roof is carbon fibre. 7 BOOT SIZE: The M5's boot offers 466 litres of luggage space Credit: Jacob Liggett 7 LAP OF LUXURY: BMW's curved dual screens take centre stage, there's heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats Credit: Paddy McGrath Inside, the cabin is superb as you'd imagine from a flagship BMW. Advertisement The curved dual screens dominate the dash, with carbon trim everywhere. The sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, the M badge lights up at night and there's heated seats in the back as well. The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is a few grand more, starting at €139,515 and that's a lot of money. Read more on the Irish Sun Its little brother the M3 is actually more expensive as it starts from €154,395, but the M5 is more powerful, and as it's a PHEV, it's much cheaper to tax. Advertisement 7 THE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes, even the roof's carbon Credit: Paddy McGrath