The Most Powerful BMW M5 Ever Has Arrived

The 2019 BMW M5 Competition has been introduced, sporting 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

It’s the most powerful BMW M5 sedan ever and joins the recently unveiled BMW M2 Competition Coupe and other M Competition models as part of a new product category within BMW M’s lineup. The German automaker said around 40 percent of all previous-generation BMW M5 models sold worldwide were equipped with the M Competition package.

Along with the 4.4-liter V8 engine seeing its output increased to 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, the BMW M5 Competition also features model-specific M Sport exhaust system, engine mounts, and chassis tuning. The result is a zero-to-60 mph time of just 3.1 seconds.

Another exclusive feature on the 2019 BMW M5 Competition are its light-alloy wheels, which were specially developed to add to the model’s exclusive looks. The exterior boasts high-gloss black finishers on the door handles, mirror bases, and mirror triangles, along with the exterior mirror caps and the mesh of the signature M gills in the front flanks. High-gloss Shadow Line trim rounds off the door window surrounds and B-pillar trim. Further high-gloss black accents can be found on the kidney grille’s surrounds and detailing on the rear bumper cover, while the color coordination continues with the tailpipes finished in black chrome. Both the rear spoiler and the M5 Competition logo are also finished in high-gloss black.

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The changes inside the cabin are more subtle, with black seat belts featuring a striped pattern in BMW M colors. The floor mats feature model-specific piping plus an M5 logo, while a distinctive M Competition graphic appears on the instrument cluster.

As for the model-specific engine mounts, BMW says they “have a noticeable impact on its performance abilities.” They feature an increased spring rate of 5,139 lbs/inch compared to the standard BMW M5’s 3,312 lbs/inch, resulting in a firmer connection of the drive unit to the vehicle’s structure. This gives the M5 Competition a more direct engine response and more immediate transfer of power to the drivetrain. The automaker claims the sports sedan corners with noticeably greater directness and precision, thanks to the stiffer mounts.

The M5 Competition also sits seven millimeters (0.275 inch) closer to the ground, thanks to tweaks to the springs and dampers. Other suspension changes include increased negative camber up front, ball joints in the toe links instead of rubber mounts, and a firmer spring rate for the rear anti-roll bar.

The 2019 BMW M5 Competition will head to production starting July 2018 and will be priced from $110,995 including destination in the U.S.

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