Following the announcement of the 2021 BMW 5 Series, set to arrive in Australia in October, the local arm has now confirmed prices and details for the high performance M5 Competition model. It will join the new 5 Series lineup as the flagship.
As we saw during the M5’s initial debut in June, the 2021 model receives the updated exterior design. At the front are wider and thinner headlights, with redesigned kidney grilles in the middle. There’s also the new-look taillights at the back which are wider and thinner than before, with some revisions made to the front and rear bumper bars.
Perhaps the biggest change is to the interior. BMW has applied its latest generation 12.3-inch media interface to the dash. It now runs BMW’s 7.0 operating system, and is controlled by an updated iDrive pad on the console featuring flush buttons. The instrument cluster is made up of a fully digital screen, and there’s a new M Mode button on the console allowing drivers to toggle through different viewing modes.
In terms of the hardware under the skin, the M5 Competition continues with its monster 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that belts out 460kW and 750Nm. BMW says 0-100km/h comes up in just 3.3 seconds, and 0-200km/h in just 10.8 seconds. In Australia the M5 Competition comes with the otherwise optional M Driver’s Package, which lifts the top speed to 305km/h. It also includes complimentary entry into the BMW Driving Experience Advance 2 course.
Drivers can select between 4WD, 4WD Sport, and RWD drive modes, and there are multiple settings for the eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also an M Sport exhaust system with a dual-branch and flap-controlled muffler set so drivers can enjoy different sound levels.
Some revisions have been made to the suspension for 2021. The Competition version continues to sit 7mm lower than the regular M5 (not available in Australia), however, the dampers have been adopted from the M8 Competition Gran Coupe to improve comfort and handling, and the spring settings have been retuned.
Like the updated 5 Series, the 2021 BMW M5 Competition will be available for local delivery from October. Prices start from $244,900 (excluding on-road costs). See below for the highlight standard features:
- M Driver’s Package (305km/h top speed and complimentary entry to the BMW Driving Experience Advance 2 course. Entry to the BMW Driving Experience Advance 1 course also included)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- BMW Individual lights Shadow Line
- BMW drive recorder
- M xDrive
- Active M differential
- M head-up display
- M Specific contents
- M Sport exhaust system
- M Carbon roof
- M Carbon engine cover
- Full leather ‘Merino’ upholstery
- Automatic air-con, four-zone
- BMW Individual headliner Alcantara Anthracite
- Tyre pressure indicator
- Soft-Close Doors
- Leather instrument panel
- Ambient Air
- BMW LaserLight
- Metallic paint
- Alarm system
- Roller sunblinds
- M seat belts
- M Multifunction seats
- Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system, 16 speakers
- 5 Year/80,000km BMW Service Inclusive
- BMW Live Cockpit Professional feat. BMW Operating System 7.0
- BMW Connected package Professional
- Wireless smartphone integration including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Driving Assistant Professional
- Parking Assistant Plus
