BMW M5 gets competitive

BMW will offer a more powerful Competition Package version of its fire-breathing M5 sedan as a part of the recently announced mid-life update to the 5 Series range.

For drivers wanting a little more oomph, Competition Package boosts the M5’s 4.4-litre V8 by 11kW, to 423kW, and includes M carbon ceramic brakes, which became available as an option in Europe in March.

The figure still falls 7kW short of HSV’s Gen-F GTS, which packs a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that also churns out significantly more torque than the BMW.

BMW says the Competition Package also improves the M5’s dynamics by modifying the chassis setup and fine-tuning the suspension, damping systems and stabiliser bars, resulting in a ride height 10mm lower than the regular M5.

All this tweaking shaves 0.1 second off the from zero to 100km/h time of a standard M5, meaning the Competition Package completes the sprint in 4.2 seconds – matching the new 410kW Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG that is due for a local release in the third quarter of this year.

On standard M5s, peak power of 412kW and 680Nm of torque remain unchanged.

In Europe, the Competition Package will be optional on the M5, M6 Coupe and Convertible and M6 Gran Coupe, but it is unclear if or when it will be available on Australian-spec models.

While BMW Australia has not confirmed local timing for the updated M5, it is expected to go on sale around the same time as the rest of the refreshed line-up in the fourth quarter of this year.

As with the rest of the 5 Series facelift, changes are minor, but the 2013 M5 features a revised kidney grille with a tiny M5 badge and double-spoke slats that resemble the alloy wheel design, redesigned tail lights and a number of new paint colours.

Inside the M5, the new leather steering wheel also takes cues from the double-spoke wheels while other minor updates include bigger storage compartments in the centre console and chrome trim around the iDrive controller.

The updated M5 will be better connected, with access to an online audio database that features up to 12 million tracks.

BMW’s new ‘Driving Assistant’ system features lane-departure and collision warnings, as well as a lane-change warning and the M5 can also be optioned with a glare-free high-beam assist.