If you are one of those automotive enthusiasts who think the 2018 BMW M5 is not fast enough, BMW has another car for you. The 2018 BMW M5 Competition packs more power, as well as upgraded chassis and suspension.
The BMW M5 is already a fearsome super saloon that is effectively the benchmark for other cars fielding against it. BMW's M division apparently thought it lacked for power and set to work. The result is the M5 Competition, which is slightly faster in a straight line compared to its stock sibling.
Coming to the most important numbers, the 2018 BMW M5 Competition packs 617 hp and 750 Nm out of its 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 petrol motor. This is an increase of 24 horses over the stock M5. Courtesy of the extra power, the M5 Competition rockets to 100 kph in 3.3 seconds and 200 kph in just 10.8 seconds. That makes it a tenth of a second faster to the ton compared to the M5, with 0.3 seconds shaved off the 0-200 kph time over the regular M5.
The M5 Competition benefits from an updated drivetrain which differs slightly from the regular M5. It consists of an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. The drivetrain works in conjunction with the car's Active M Differential. Most of the drivetrain is identical to the stock M5, but with slight revisions to the overall setup. This helps the M5 Competition handles its extra power better. For starters, the super saloon benefits from unique engine mounts with an increased spring rate. According to BMW, the new setup accounts for “even more direct engine response and immediate transmission of its power to the drivetrain.”
Not stopping after updating the drivetrain, M engineers also toyed with the suspension and chassis of the M5 Competition. The car now sits 7 mm lower, with its rubber mounts replaced by toe links with ball joints. According to BMW, this allows for “even more precise wheel guidance at the rear axle”. Additionally, the M5 Competition is fitted with stiffer springs and a firmer anti-roll bar. The dampers are also retuned in order to handle the extra power from the engine.
There are subtle changes to the exterior that differentiate the Competition from the stock M5. These include mirror caps, as well as the grille, finished in high-gloss black with similar accents on the rear bumper. The 2018 BMW M5 Competition sits on bespoke 20-inch forged lightweight alloy rims and makes music through a special sports exhaust system. Competition badging sets it apart from the stock M5. The interiors are mostly similar to the stock M5, with a few changes pointing to the difference between the two cars. Prominently, the dashboard cluster displays an M Competition graphic upon startup. The upholstery is high-quality Merino Aragon, and there are aluminium infused carbon dark chrome accents.
The 2018 BMW M5 Competition is essentially a faster, more performance-focused super saloon. Look out Mercedes-AMG, this Bavarian is out for blood!
