When a new M car hits the streets, it usually sends ripples through the enthusiast community. But the latest BMW M5 received a frostier reception. Criticized for its heft and polarizing design, coupled with the contentious plug-in hybrid powertrain, the G90 M5 has faced an uphill battle. So, can a sprinkle of M Performance Parts help it reclaim its legendary status?

Straight off the production line, BMW offers a slew of factory upgrades designed to trim the M5’s substantial figure. The super sedan gets an array of carbon fibre enhancements—from the front spoiler lip to the rear diffuser. But with the car tipping the scales at a hefty 2,444 kg, these lightweight bits are more symbolic than transformative. Even the carbon fuel filler cap and sill extensions won’t drastically shift the weight needle.

Beyond the carbon bling, the new M5 can be kitted out with matte black side decals and an aramid shark fin antenna. Lightweight alloy wheels join the lineup next summer, accompanied by M Performance-branded tyre bags and valve stem caps that proudly flaunt the “M” badge. The exhaust tips, crafted from titanium and carbon fibre, also bear the embossed "M5" logo.

These optional extras do help shave off some mass. The carbon roof slices 30 kg, while the carbon-ceramic brakes trim another 25 kg. Yet, these reductions are still marginal. Perhaps a stricter diet is on the horizon, reminiscent of the previous M5 CS, which shed a notable 104 kg compared to the M5 Competition.

Despite the array of M Performance Parts, BMW’s seventh-gen M5 won’t launch with carbon bucket seats—a feature even the limited-run CS edition had in the rear. Centerlock wheels, available for the smaller M3, are also conspicuously absent.

While the M Performance Parts do bring a touch of lightweight magic, the question remains: Is it enough to silence the critics and restore the M5 to its former glory? Time, and a few laps around the Nürburgring, will tell.