BMW M5 gets new wheels cast in 0.05 seconds and weighing up to 20% less
BMW is offering new M Performance wheels for the M5 saloon and Touring, with the biggest change lying not in their appearance but in how they are made. High Pressure Casting, or HPC, allows cast aluminium wheels to be made up to 20% lighter while retaining the required strength. The new technology will arrive on the M5 in autumn 2026.
Into the mould in 0.05 seconds
In the process developed by Germany's Entec-Stracon, molten metal flows into the mould from the outside in, under vacuum and at very high pressure. Casting a wheel takes just 0.05 seconds, with 80 sensors and artificial intelligence monitoring the process.
Unlike a conventional cast wheel, the new component does not require subsequent heat treatment. According to BMW, this halves production time and also cuts the energy required for production by about half.
The rapid process gives the metal a finer structure and allows reinforcement specifically in areas subject to high loads. The rest of the wheel can therefore be made thinner and lighter. HPC even allows the production of up to 70 very thin blade spokes and the use of surfaces that improve aerodynamics, which would be difficult to produce using conventional pressure casting.
Every kilogram counts for the M5
A lighter wheel reduces unsprung and rotating mass. This helps the suspension control the wheel more precisely on uneven roads and reduces the inertia that must be overcome during acceleration and braking.
Given the substantial weight of the current plug-in hybrid M5, this is particularly welcome. However, BMW has not yet disclosed the exact weight of the 1075 M wheels, so it is not possible to calculate how many kilograms a complete set actually saves compared with standard M5 wheels. The claim of “up to 20%” describes the technology's potential.
The new 1075 M wheels will come in 20- and 21-inch sizes, with Gold Bronze and Jet Black finishes. BMW will sell them as a set with sports tyres exclusively for the M5 saloon and M5 Touring. The manufacturer has not yet announced a price.
