The new BMW M5 Competition is here
This is the freshly facelifted BMW M5 Competition. It comes just a couple of weeks after BMW revealed its updates to the rest of the 5 Series range.
It may appear pretty much identical on the surface but changes have been made inside and outside the new M5 to improve its performance both on the road and on track.
Under the bonnet is BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 616bhp and 553lb ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, that V8 propels the new M5 Competition from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds, 0-124mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a limited 155mph top speed. Equip the M Driver’s Pack and that limiter is removed allowing the M5 to carry on to 189mph. So yeah, it’s fast…
The M5 Competition still uses the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system which has a rear-wheel-drive bias and an active M differential. It comes with an ‘M Dynamic Mode’ which offers “controlled drifts and entertaining handling”. Other modes include ‘4WD’ and ‘4WD Sport’, both of which are optimised for the race track, and there is, of course, the option to send all of the power to the rear wheels for “the traditional BMW M5 rear-wheel drive experience”.
So how does the big, chunky M5 Competition handle all of that weight and power in the corners? The ability to do so is largely down its impressive new chassis and suspension setup which “benefits from experience gained in the development of the new BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé”.
This includes a fancy new set of adaptive M Sport dampers. Driving modes are Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Comfort mode is self-explanatory. Sport mode is said to reduce wheel and body movements in order to give the driver a better feel of the road while still offering a certain level of comfort. Sport+ takes comfort out of the equation and “maximises dynamic performance on smooth asphalt” making it perfect for the race track.
Stability is also aided by M Performance coilover suspension which, working with the adaptive dampers, allows for a drop in ride height of 5-20mm. Stronger, bespoke engine mounts are also new limiting the movement of the powerful V8 thus reducing body roll and improving the M5 Competition’s cornering ability.
The new M5’s M Servotronic steering also works in line with the adaptive suspension modes. Comfort focuses on normal driving, through town for example, and offers light, easy steering. Sport mode requires greater steering force and, in turn, offers a noticeable increase in feedback through the steering wheel.
In terms of appearance, you get the usual upgrades. 20-inch forged Y-spoke M-light alloy wheels housing perforated M Compound brakes which are now fitted as standard. The calipers are finished in gloss red but can be swapped for black or blue units at no extra cost.
It gets beefier front and rear bumpers and a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic roof. The grille gets a black surround, M-specific double fins and a black M5 Competition badge. Down the side, you’ll find the traditional M gills and streamlined wing mirrors, both finished in gloss black.
Round the back of the vehicle, you’ll notice a number of upgrades. Most notable of these upgrades are the large, gloss black diffuser and M Sport, flap-operated exhaust system with quad exits finished in black chrome. The boot gets a gloss black lip spoiler and the traditional L-shaped LED taillights have been updated.
New colour and wheel options have been added to the menu, too. Standard colours include Brands Hatch Grey, Bluestone and Motegi Red. BMW Individual adds Tanzanite Blue and Aventurline Red to the options list. 20-inch double-spoke alloys finished in Orbis Grey have been added to the list of wheel options.
Improvements have been made inside the new BMW M5 Competition as well. New M Multifunction sports seats are wrapped in high-quality Merino Leather with illuminated M5 badges in the head restraints.
It gets a new 12.3-inch central display to give clearer access to the “myriad functions associated with the driving dynamic systems and BMW M xDrive all-wheel drive”. There are two new buttons in the centre console, taken directly from the M8, allowing easier navigation through driving modes.
“At the press of the M Mode button, the driver can switch swiftly between the ROAD and SPORT settings. Keeping the M Mode button pressed, then confirming the prompt in the central display, engages TRACK mode”. Very sporty.
It’s clear that the new M5 Competition means business. It sounds absolutely incredible. This much technology and performance comes at a price, though, and that price starts at £98,095. Obviously, that number can quickly increase with added gadgets and carbon stuff!
So what’s it going to be? The BMW M5 Competition or the similarly priced Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG? Let us know in the comments section below or via our Facebook and Twitter pages.