BMW releases M5 Competition with 616bhp
Even more powerful version of flagship super-saloon takes the fight to the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S
The standard BMW M5 is no slouch, but the Bavarian brand has taken things up a notch with the release of the new M5 Competition.
The Competition is the most hardcore and performance-focused variant of the M5 yet, and boasts increased power and performance plus a reworked suspension setup to ensure it’s even more impressive in the corners.
The engine – still a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 – has had its power increased to 616bhp from 592bhp, making it the most powerful road-going BMW ever made. Torque is unchanged at 750Nm, but BMW has managed to spread it across a wider rev range, with peak torque now available from 1,800-5,800rpm. All that power is still delivered through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
The key performance figures have improved slightly over the standard M5 and remain deeply impressive – 0-60mph is dealt with in 3.1 seconds and the 0-200km/h (124mph) sprint time has dropped from 11.1 seconds to 10.8 seconds. That’s faster than its main rival from Mercedes.
The M5 Competition is the first of its type to be marketed as a standalone model. Previous iterations have been named ‘Competition Pack’ and acted more as a trim level or an optional package.
Prices for the BMW M5 start from £96,205. First deliveries take place in September.
