Updated BMW M5 due here in October

Friday, 19 June 2020

BMW has updated its go-fast lawyer-mobile with freshened looks and more power, among other things.

The local arm will only offer the Competition variant of the new M5 for now, with the top-spec four-door's 4.4-litre biturbo V8 now produces 460kW/750Nm, up from 441kW previously. That translates to a 0-100kmh sprint of 3.3 seconds and a 0-200kmh in just 10.8 seconds. Savage.

All four wheels receive power via the same eight-speed transmission and rear-biased AWD system as before. Drivers can opt to disconnect the fronts entirely, if they want a sharp jolt of reality when they come to a roundabout.

More power equals more fast. The new M5 Competition hits 100kmh in 3.3 seconds and 200 in 10.8s.

The Competition M5 also gets revised suspension with new shock absorbers, engine mounts with a stiffer spring rate, an active M Sport exhaust system and M Compound brakes that can be upgraded to carbon ceramic units. Meanwhile, the 20-inch wheels have been lifted straight from the M8.

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The changes aren't huge but at least the grille has been left untouched...

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There's a lot going on here but once drivers set up their M modes (those red buttons on the wheel) most buttons will probably go untouched.

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Visual changes reflect that of the standard 5 Series, as well as new headlights, larger rear vents and new red and black taillights. Black highlights can be found on the kidney grilles, mirror caps, and boot lid spoiler.

Inside is a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen that supports cloud-based navigation and Android Auto (finally). The console also gets two new buttons that provide easy access to drive settings and the M mode screen.

Track mode is a new addition, which deactivates all comfort and driver assistance systems while also muting the audio system and switching off the central display to keep the driver’s attention on the track ahead.

In addition, the instrument cluster switches to M View and the Head-Up Display stops readouts from the driver assistance systems.

Automatic activation of the hazard warning lights in response to emergency braking is suppressed and the collision warning system is also deactivated.

We'll be getting the new M5 Competition this October, with price and final specification to be confirmed closer to the time.

BMW NZ didn't mention anything about other M5 variants either, which means the only option for new M5 buyers at the end of the year will be the most hardcore version.