The Most Powerful BMW M5 – 200 Units Available

The most powerful version of the already formidable BMW M5 has been introduced in Europe – called the BMW M5 “Competition Edition”. The boffins at BMW have turned up the wick on their 4.4-litre ‘TwinPower’ turbocharged V8 engine to now produce a whopping 600bhp (at 6250rpm) and 700Nm (1500rpm – 6000rpm) of torque.

An increase of boost pressure and targeted modifications of the engine’s management parameters yields a 40bhp and 20Nm hike over the standard production model.

To wield all that power Competition Edition sits 10mm closer to the ground on a firmer spring, damper and stabiliser setup. The Active M differential also receives tweaks for optimised traction. The hydraulic rack and pinion steering system with M Servotronic function is revised to offer a more direct control map, producing faster-steering responses and crisper feedback. The commonplace M Dynamic mode, which manages the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is claimed to deliver even sharper handling characteristics now. The M carbon-ceramic brake package remains an optional extra.

The performance gains propel the M5 Competition Edition to a 3.9 second 0-100km/h, and will keep accelerating to an electronically limited 250km/h. The car will top out at 305 km/h with the limiter removed. Fuel economy is claimed at 9.9l/100km combined on the EU cycle.

Only 200 units will be made – 100 units will be painted in Carbon Black metallic and 100 in Mineral White metallic respectively. The BMW M5 Competition Edition wears 20-inch, forged and polished, double-spoke M light alloy wheels in a Jet Black finish.

On the inside, the car receives unique carbon trim in the form of strips bearing the logo “M5 Competition 1/200” to indicate the exclusivity of the model.