The current-generation BMW M5 was unveiled to the public at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, nearly two years after the F10 5 Series made its global debut. The high-performance sedan was redesigned significantly inside and out and received a brand-new engine under the hood. The previous 5.0-liter V-10 was dropped after five years and replaced with a 4.4-liter V-8. Although this wasn't the first V-8 to motivate an M5, the new unit came with two turbochargers for enhanced fuel economy.

After five years on the market, the current M5 is getting ready to exit the stage and make way for a much improved model, scheduled to arrive for the 2018 model year. However, until that happens, BMW keeps rolling out all sorts of special-edition models, one of which is the Competition Edition.

Essentially a beefed-up version of the standard M5 with added carbon-fiber parts and an exclusive interior, the Competition Edition isn't exactly a new idea in the 5 Series stable. In 2013, BMW launched the M5 Competition Package with similar upgrades. The big news here is that the new sedan sports even more unique features and that the V-8 engine is a lot more powerful. In fact, the Competition Edition is the most powerful, factory-built M5 ever created and among the most powerful M-badged Bimmers ever launched. Needless to say, it's a great send-off for the F10-generation M5.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M5 "Competition Edition".

2017 BMW M5 "Competition Edition"

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 BMW M5 "Competition Edition"
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 600
  • Torque: 516
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the BMW M5 "Competition Edition" special

Since this isn't the first current-generation M5 with the Competition Package, the sedan should be familiar with BMW enthusiasts. The exterior is heavily based on the regular M5, but also features a few add-ons that make it a bit more exclusive. The first thing that sets it apart is the strict color palette. The sedan can only be had in Carbon Black Metallic and Mineral White Metallic. It's a bit of shame that BMW doesn't offer flashier colors, but white and black are the perfect hues to emphasize the car's sporty, yet elegant lines.

The sedan also rides on special. 20-inch, forged and polished, double-spoke M wheels wrapped in performance tires. The kidney grille up front is finished in gloss-black, as are the side gills and their "M5 Competition" badges. The Competition Package also adds a carbon-fiber diffuser, trunk lid spoiler, and mirror caps, and lowers the ride height by 10 mm (0.4 inches).

The interior also got plenty of attention, although some of the features were carried over from the previous M5 Competition Package. Still, the sedan's cabin is pretty exclusive thanks to its carbon-fiber trim with numbered "M5 Competition" logo, full leather trim in Merino Black with contrast stitching in Opal White, and floor mats in Anthracite with Merino Opal White leather bordering. Both the driver and the front passenger benefit from multifunctional M seats that feature “///M5” lettering embroidered on the headrests for more exclusivity. The M5 is also equipped with a 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, BMW Head-Up Display, Comfort Access, and Lane Departure Warning. Optionally, customers can add the BMW Driving Assistant, among other features.

Under the hood is where the M5 received its most significant update. The twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V-8 in the standard model was massaged to deliver an impressive 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That's a 40-horsepower and 14-pound-feet increase over the regular M5 and a 25-horsepower increase over the previous M5 Competition Package. The unit mates to familiar M dual-clutch transmission with Drivelogic and enables the sedan to charge from 0 to 62 mph in only 3.9 seconds, a half-second quicker than the standard M5 and 0.3 ticks faster than the previous Competition Package model.

The significant increase in performance is due to the extra oomph, but also courtesy of the numerous features that come with the Competition Package. The bundle includes a firmer setup of spring and damper systems and stabilizers, new settings for the Active M differential, and a more direct control map for the M Servotronic steering system. In addition, the M Dynamic Mode of the stability control system (DSC) has been further aligned to sporty handling characteristics.

Production of the new M5 Competition Package is limited to 200 units. European pricing starts from €129,500, which is a €25,200 premium over the standard M5. BMW didn't say whether the sedan will cross the pond to the U.S. or, but should it arrive on these shores, it will probably retail from around $117,000.

BMW M5

Read our full review on the BMW M5 here.