Harry’s Garage

BMW M5 Touring Road Trip to Toyota Racing in Germany. 840 Miles Later; Do I Still Like the New M5?

Harry's Garage documents a six‑month test of the new BMW M5 Touring, a plug‑in hybrid performance sedan, by driving it 840 miles from the UK to Toyota Racing’s headquarters in Cologne. The trip highlights the car’s mixed‑use characteristics: a 40‑mile electric range, a modest 60‑liter fuel tank, and a combined 37 MPG figure that the author calls “nonsense.” The M5’s weight and rev‑limiting behavior are monitored, while the ultimate pack—including carbon‑ceramic brakes, midnight‑gray wheels and a glass roof—adds roughly £21,850 to the base price, pushing the sticker to £140,000. At Toyota Racing, the host explains how their World Endurance Championship program drives the development of specialist hybrid oils. Mobile One’s motorsport director describes the challenge of water contamination in cold‑start oil and the secret additives used to maintain lubrication and thermal efficiency, a concern echoed by the BMW engineers monitoring engine temperature and rev limits. The episode underscores that EU emissions rules are forcing high‑performance brands toward hybrid architectures, creating demand for new lubricants and service strategies. For consumers and workshops, understanding these technical nuances will be essential as premium hybrids become mainstream.