New BMW M5 Competition 2021 detailed: Mercedes-AMG E63 S rival gets aggressive facelift

BMW has revealed the facelifted version of the sixth-generation M5 large sedan, which will once again be exclusively available in full-fat Competition form in Australia when it arrives in October.

Following in the tyre tracks of the 5 Series large sedan it is based on, the M5 Competition’s facelift ushers in sharper laser headlights with a dark tint, a larger version of BMW’s signature kidney grille finished in gloss black, and a more aggressive front bumper with bigger air intakes.

At the side, there’s a fresh set of bi-colour 20-inch alloy wheels with a Y-spoke design, while the rear end gets redesigned LED tail-lights and a tweaked diffuser.

Read More About BMW M Models

New BMW 5 Series 2021 detailed: Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival channels inner 3 Series with facelift

Five new paintwork options have also been introduced (Brands Hatch Grey, Motegi Red metallic, Tanzanite Blue II metallic, Aventurine Red II metallic and matte Frozen Bluestone metallic), with all taken from the BMW Individual catalogue.

Inside, upgrades include a 12.3-inch touchscreen powered by BMW’s latest multimedia system, OS 7.0, which also now underpins the digital instrument cluster and head-up display. The new M Mode setting allows the driver to quickly engage a more focused set-up.

2021 BMW M5 Competition

1 / 2

2021 BMW M5 Competition

2 / 2

No changes have been made to the M5 Competition’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, which continues to punch out 460kW of power at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1800-5860rpm.

With an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and BMW’s rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel-drive system in tow, the M5 Competition can still obliterate the zero-to-100km/h sprint in a scant 3.3 seconds while on the way to its top speed of 305km/h.

Read More About BMW M Models

BMW M5 Competition 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

That said, BMW has tweaked the M5 Competition’s suspension set-up, subbing in new shock absorbers from the M8 Competition Gran Coupe, which it claims “improve on-the-limit handling and bring extra comfort to the driving experience”.

Pricing and full specification for the Mercedes-AMG E63 S rival will be released closer to its launch. For reference, the current model checks in at $234,900 plus on-road costs.