New BMW M5 facelift gets power boost

BMW’s Bahn-storming M5 sports sedan has received a midlife update that includes a mild facelift, new standard equipment, tweaked suspension and even more power.

The 2014 BMW M5 now sports a new M kidney grille M5 model designation and twin slats that reflect the double-spoke design of the M Alloy wheels. Standard Adaptive LED headlights are now standard and at the rear, new design tail lights with thin LED light strips, along with a sport exhaust system featuring customary M twin tailpipes in black chrome complete the new facelift.

The BMW M5’s already impressive powerplant gets even more grunt with the integration of the performance enhancing ‘Competition Package’ features into the standard specification. The package provides an 11 kW boost to the high-revving V8 with M TwinPower turbo technology and raises the total power output of the new BMW M5 to 423 kW – enough to slice 0.1 seconds from the 0-100 km/h sprint and 0.2 seconds when you continue all the way to 200 km/h.

Interior design enhancements include a new M leather steering wheel whose design likewise takes cues from the double-spoke wheels, along with chrome trim highlights around the control display. Cabin storage is improved with an updated centre console area and additional space under the centre armrest.

New options available from BMW Individual include a range of new exterior colours such as Pyrite Brown metallic, Frozen Blue metallic and Pure Metal Silver.

The M5’s comprehensive standard equipment list includes performance driving enhancement features such as the Active M differential, Dynamic Damper Control, M servotronic power steering and M Drive mode, while occupant safety is taken care of by features such as active front headrests, Active Protection, the full suite of airbags and Dynamic Stability Control systems and high-performance brakes. In addition, BMW will also include a complimentary Intensive Driving Experience course for every new BMW M5 owner.

Also enhancing safety through awareness are the standard driver assistance features which include the full colour Head-Up Display with M view, surround view which provides a bird’s eye view of the car and rear view camera to aid in parking manoeuvres, front and rear Park Distance Control and cruise control with braking function.

The new BMW M5 has also received extensive modifications to the chassis set-up. Along with suspension and damping systems modifications, which have lowered the M5 by around 10 millimetres, improvement has been made to improve the stabiliser bars’ torsional rigidity. There are also enhancements to the Active M Differential and steering system.

The new BMW M5 will be reaching Australian shores from mid-September starting at $229,900.