Upgraded BMW M5 Competition also pricier
Bavaria’s answer to Mercedes-AMG E 63 S gets new look, more gear and a $10K price hikeAustralian pricing and specs have been announced for the upgraded 2021 BMW M5 Competition ahead of first local deliveries from October.
Like the wider MY21 BMW 5 Series range, Australian details for which were announced last week, the BMW M5’s midlife makeover brings a raft of upgrades including revised exterior styling, fresh interior technology, extensive chassis improvements and substantial price increases.
BMW Australia has now confirmed a $10,000 price hike for its iconic large sports sedan, the MY21 version of which will cost $244,900 before on-road costs. Once again, only the top-shelf Competition version of the M5 will be offered to Aussies.
As we’ve reported, the latest BMW M5 Competition will get a new look via slimmer headlights with L-shaped light tubes, a more aggressive-looking front bumper and larger side air intakes.
The rear-end is also treated to a new bumper design, thinner-walled quad exhaust outlets and new L-shaped graphics for the three-dimensional LED tail-lights.
Carrying over its proved drivetrain, the 2021 BMW M5 Competition will again bring outputs of 460kW of power and 750Nm of torque, courtesy of the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that also powers the BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition SUVs.
Power is sent to all four corners of the car via a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, helping the M5 Competition sprint to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds – 0.1sec quicker than before – and 200km/h in 10.8sec.
Top speed is rated at 305km/h thanks to the standard fitment of the M Driver’s package – not that you’ll need that kind of speed away from a racetrack.
For reference, the BMW M5 Competition’s nearest rival, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S sedan, costs $248,600 plus ORCs and hits 100km/h in a claimed 3.4sec.
Other standard features include the option two new 20-inch light alloy wheel designs, BMW Drive Recorder, Active M differential, M Sport exhaust, quad-zone climate control, M carbon roof, soft-close doors, metallic paint, parking assistant plus, wireless phone charging and more.
A new infotainment display, however, is what BMW fans are probably looking forward to most.
Inside the cabin, BMW’s latest OS7.0 multimedia system comprises a huge 12.3-inch central display that can be controlled by voice, touch or a rotary dial on the centre console.
Other exciting additions include two new buttons on the centre console that, as with the new M8, BMW says provide more direct access to system settings and the various readouts in the instrument cluster and head-up display.
As for the rest of the cabin, the BMW M5 Competition gets M multifunction seats with integrated head restraints, wrapped in full-leather Merino upholstery.
Stopping power comes from gold-painted M carbon ceramic brakes – six-piston up front and single-piston at the rear – that BMW says are 23kg lighter than before, providing “even greater braking performance and thermal stability” as well as improved fade resistance.
No-extra-cost metallic colour options include Bluestone, Cashmere Silver, Dark Silver or Marina Bay Blue, while other paintwork options available consist of Brilliant White, Frozen Brilliant White and Pure Metal Silver.
Also available for the M5 Competition is BMW’s five-year/80,000km Service Inclusive package, in either Basic or Plus guise.
There’s no word yet on an even more powerful circa-478kW M5 CS model, let alone the electrified next-generation G60 BMW M5 due around 2024.
How much does the 2021 BMW M5 cost?
Competition – $244,900 (+$10,000)
* Price excludes on-road costs
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