Hotter BMW M5 on the way

Look out Mercedes-AMG: BMW M has your E 63 S super sedan firmly in its sights. That’s the clear message from the Bavarian brigade following the launch of its latest sixth-generation M5 in Portugal this week.

M’s engineering vice-president Dirk Hacker shrugged off any deficit the new M5 has to its Mercedes-AMG counterpart with news that a more powerful, even more performance-focussed M5 is just around the corner.

The new, all-wheel drive M5’s twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is rated at 441kW and 750Nm. In comparison, Mercedes-AMG’s E 63 S – also all-wheel drive -- delivers 450kW and 850Nm from its 4.0-litre biturbo bent eight.

But Hacker says comparing the M5 to the S variant of the E 63 is incorrect.

https://www.facebook.com/motoring.com.au/videos/1785702444796182

“The new M5 Competition is the right car with which to make this comparison,” he stated in answer to motoring.com.au’s questions about the power and torque gap.

“For sure we will have a more powerful M5 coming,” he teased without declaring output targets.

Hacker says the uber M5 will not be purely focussed on outgunning the E 63 S in the engine room.

“This [model] will not just be about power, it will be a complete upgrade of the [M5] package. More sporty… More fast… And even better performing on the racetrack,” Hacker explained.

Exact timing for the M5 Competition is still to be officially confirmed, however, Hackler says we wont have too long to wait.

“Next year, we will introduce it,” he said.

BMW's new M5 is claimed to hit 100km/h in 3.4 seconds -- matching the E 63 S and making it the quickest BMW production model -- on its way to a 305km/h top speed with optional M Driver's Package.

It will arrive in Australia in two guises from the second quarter of next year, priced from $199,000 plus on-road costs – $14,285 more than the outgoing M5 Pure ($184,715) but significantly less than both the standard E 63 sedan ($209,611 plus ORCs) and the E 63 S ($239,611 plus ORCs).

The sub-$200,000 Launch Edition will be limited to just 50 units for 2018 in Australia, and just five examples of the M5 First Edition will be available here -- from a global production run of only 400 vehicles -- each priced at $229,000 plus ORCs.

Since its reveal in August, BMW has also announced a new MotoGP Safety Car based on the 2018 M5, as well as a host of M Performance parts for the new sports sedan (pictured).

Expect some of these -- perhaps including a host of carbon-fibre body and aero extras, and upgraded brakes and coil-over suspension -- to feature on the next M5 Competition.

Look for our drive on the new F90 BMW M5 on Monday, December 4.