M5 Competition Now Even Sharper. But is it Quicker?
A Styling, Cabin, Tech, And Chassis Nip & Tuck for M5 Competition. We Put it to The Test
The previous BMW M5 Competition was the quickest car we ever tested. Quicker than the swiftest Ferraris, Lambos and Porsches we ever strapped our trusty kit to over a quarter-century of testing. That previous grey car in fact twice beat the 3-second mark in two different tests, a few months apart.
M Has Taken the Scalpel to 5
Now the humble four-door family ultra-saloon has benefited from a mid-life nip and tuck. So, we were most excited to see if this gold one would be even quicker. First however, let’s check what’s changed In line with the recent 5 Series facelift. You’ll notice the new black double-fluted grill design for the squared off kidneys sitting atop a re-profiled bumper with revised mesh air intakes.
New headlights gain L-shaped LED tubes and ultra-bright BMW’ Dynamic Laser Matrix Beams. Add a fresh rear apron, diffuser 3D LED taillights and four new exhaust tips at the back. And black trim all over, plus new look 20-inch wheels. We all think it’s considerably sweeter looking now.
Regular recent 5 Series facelift cabin upgrades also carry over to the M version. Larger 12.3-inch infotainment runs latest seventh generation iDrive. That brings two new buttons nicked from the M8 center console. One to instantly disable the nannies and switch from Road to Track mode. And even stop the hazard lights from freaking out under extreme braking. The other to pick your favorite engine, chassis, and gearbox modes at an instant.
No Change Under the Bonnet
There’s no change under the bonnet. So M5 Competition, which is available outside the US, which now has the regular car and the new CS is still good for a claimed 3.2 second 0-60 mph blast and 300 km/h top end. With this one’s optional M Driver’s Package of course. The men from M have had a go at M5 Competition’s iconic über power sedan’s chassis though. It gains new dampers, once again swiped from the M8 Gran Coupé. Said to improve comfort by reducing body roll and yaw. And now you can choose of your M Compound brake caliper color.
That’s over and above the subtle tweaks that see the Competition run 7 mm lower than a regular M5 on a sportier toe and camber set-up. It also has a stiffer rear anti-rollbar and tauter engine mounts for better response through the driveline. A more ‘Competition’ feel, so to say. But with a harsher ride. Competition may defy its lightweight suggestion, but its power to weight ratio is up on the stock M5. Also, thanks to an M carbon roof and aluminum bonnet.
Getting back to that previous M5 Competition. It was also the first car to ever break the 3-second 0-160 mph barrier on our run. In an astounding 2.9 seconds. It managed 100 mph in a mesmerizing 6.5 seconds and blitzed the quarter mile in another record 10.9 seconds at 129 mph! So, with the same 617 HP and 553 lb.-ft on tap, we were pretty pumped w to get down to our strip that perfect November’s dawn.
Alas! It Was Not To Be
Alas! It was not to be. Our big bronze M5 Compo ‘only’ managed a 3.14-second 0-60 popped off 100 mph in 6.8 and the quarter mile in under 11 seconds dead at 127 mph. Look, that’s still a tenth quicker than claimed. But it’s now slower than the latest Mercedes-AMG E 63 S. Which ran a 3.05 second 0-60. Make no mistake — M5 Competition still thrusts you back in the seat, shoves your brain back into the cranium and your eyes aft in their sockets. Just a touch less so!
Much of the M5 Competition’s incredible performance is of course to do with its all-wheel drive traction. An absolute prerequisite at this heady level, this car is over a second quicker than the wild and barely controllable bucking bronco previous generation rear-wheel drive M5. And it will keep on delivering that level of performance all day long.
Still, M5 Competition is More than Compelling
Of course, a hundred and three grand makes the BMW M5 exclusive. But think of it like this: what will you pay to get to 60 mph any quicker in any other production car right now? We’ll leave you to ponder that one for yourself!
ROAD TEST: BMW M5 Competition Engine: 617 HP 553 lb.-ft 4.4-litre biturbo V8 Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD TESTED: 0-60 mph: 3.14 sec 0-100 mph: 6.58 sec 0-100 mph 9.87 sec ¼-mile: 10.9 sec @ 127 mph 50-75 mph: 1.87 sec 75-100 mph: 2.56 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 190 mph Fuel: 27 mpg List Price: $103,500 (M5) Rated: 9
Images: Michele Lupini