As the current F10 sixth-generation BMW 5 Series nears the end of its production life and a replacement in the final stages of prep, the M Division has come up with a special version of the M5 called the Competition Edition.
It’s like the M5 of today, but with more carbon and gloss black bling, sharper driving dynamics and a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine that’s been uprated to 441kW and 700Nm, a 29kW/20Nm power bump from the standard car. This was achieved mainly due to revised engine mapping and an increase in turbocharger boost pressure.
This power bump doesn’t effect the 0-100km/h sprint time, however, which remains at an impressive 3.9 seconds for the 1870kg sports sedan.
Of course, being called the Competition Edition, the car receives all the fitments and upgrades that come with the optional Competition Pack for the M5. This lowers the car by 10mm and adds a firmer suspension set up along with more granular control over the car’s Active M rear differential. There’s even a set of optional ceramic brakes.
Steering, too, has been recalibrated for the Competition Edition, with the electromechanical rack being touted as having a more direct response to complement the modified M Dynamic Mode stability control system.
Only 200 units of the Competition Edition M5 due to be made, making their availability far more of a valuable commodity. And just to differentiate it from the other F10-generation M5s out there, this special version will be offered only in two unique colours that produced in equal numbers: Carbon Black metallic and Mineral White metallic, 100 units for each.Other than that, there will be the 20-inch forged M light alloy Jet Black wheels that wear 265-section rubber that the front and wider 295-sections at the rear.
There’s also no shortage of carbon smatterings all over the exterior and interior. The most obvious one being the exterior side gills that wear the M5 Competition Edition badge, finished in clear coated carbon fibre. The rear diffuser, rear lip spoiler, and mirror caps are also carbon.
Inside, there’s even more of the stuff, pairing the Merino Black leather with trim strips bearing the special name along with the unique limited run identifier. The Competition Edition also gains some of the standard M5’s optional extras as standard. These include a Bang & Olufsen 1,200W audio system, head-up display, Comfort Access, and Lane Departure Warning.
As far as we know, BMW isn’t planning to have any of those 200 cars – each selling for €129,500 in Europe - have any allocation for the Australian market.
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