BMW has confirmed the turbocharged V8 engine powering the plug-in hybrid M5 will be detuned in European markets as the brand prepares for stricter Euro 7 emissions regulations.
The current 4.4L twin-turbo V8, which produces 430kW in today’s BMW M5, will be detuned to a peak power of 400kW in vehicles built from March 2026.
While Euro 7 emissions rules do not become mandatory for all new vehicles in the European Union until November 2026, BMW has elected to introduce the changes early in regions tied to Euro 7 compliance.
The revised engine tune will apply only to Europe, the UK, and other markets that adopt Euro 7 standards, meaning global models are not expected to receive the same reduction.
Hybrid system output remains unchanged
Despite the 30kW drop from the combustion engine, BMW says the M5 will continue to deliver the same combined system output of 535kW thanks to its plug-in hybrid setup.
Peak power from the electric drive system remains unchanged at 145kW, though BMW has made software revisions to maintain what it calls “the perfect interplay of the two powertrain elements.”
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Efficiency upgrades beyond power reduction
BMW has also outlined a series of technical updates designed to improve efficiency and emissions performance.
These include changes to:
- Combustion engine control software
- Exhaust after-treatment systems
- Introduction of a Miller cycle combustion process
The Miller cycle, increasingly used in modern high-efficiency engines, is aimed at optimising fuel consumption and reducing emissions without sacrificing drivability.
BMW XM to be affected next?
The BMW XM SUV, which uses a version of the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the BMW M5, is also expected to receive updates in EU markets with the adoption of the Miller combustion cycle.
BMW has confirmed the flagship XM Red Label trim will retain its 550kW combined system output, though it has not disclosed whether the petrol engine’s 430kW figure will change under the revisions. It is also unclear if any updates will be applied to the less powerful XM 50e variant.
Production of the updated BMW XM for European markets is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
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Australian impact still unclear
At this stage, it remains uncertain whether the revised engine tune and Euro 7-related changes will affect vehicles delivered to Australia.
The move highlights how upcoming emissions regulations are beginning to reshape even high-performance models, with manufacturers balancing compliance requirements against customer expectations for power and performance.
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