The M5 And M5 Competition Get A Mid-life Refresh

• Exterior changes include a bigger grille, new headlamps and revised bumpers.

• It gets a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system alongside some feature additions.

• It retains the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 mill as its predecessor.

• Likely to reach Indian shores by 2021 after the facelifted 5 Series. 

BMW has been on a spree of late with the launch of the X6 SUV-coupe in India and the unveil of the 2021 4 Series and 2020 6 Series Gran Turismo internationally. Soon after unveiling the 2020 LCI 5 Series, the carmaker has now taken the wraps off the facelifted M5 and M5 Competition. While the changes may not be that dramatic, there are some feature upgrades as well. 

Naturally, the facelifted M5 is based on the recently updated 5 Series and most of the design upgrades are in tune with the standard model. However, you now get a dose of ‘M’ DNA with plenty of bits like a blacked-out grille, sportier bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels and quad exhaust tips. The Competition pack further adds chrome black inserts to the front grille, trunk spoiler, taillights, and badges.

The biggest changes to the M5 and M5 Competition are inside, with the most noticeable one being a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with live cockpit, Android Auto (finally), Apple CarPlay and the latest iDrive operating system. The M5 Competition also gets a new full leather upholstery.  Driver assists consist of automatic high-beam assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

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Powering the M5 is the mighty 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that develops 600PS/750Nm in the standard model and 625PS/750Nm in the Competition pack. The M5 Competition does the 0-100kmph sprint in just 3.3 seconds (faster than the standard M5 by 0.1 seconds) and a 0-200kmph sprint in 10.8 seconds (faster than the standard M5 by 0.3 seconds). Top speed is limited to 250kmph for the M5, with the Competition variant topping out at 305kmph. Both variants are paired with the same eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive system with a choice of a 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD drive modes. 

While the new M5 doesn’t get more grunt, it does get some changes in the chassis side. Some of them include new shock absorbers that have been borrowed from the BMW M8 Gran Coupé and a retuned chassis for a more fun-to-drive experience.

There is currently no word as to when BMW will bring the facelifted M5 to India, but it likely will only come after the carmaker brings the standard 5 series facelift to India. The updated 5 Series is likely to hit Indian shores by the end of 2020, with the M5 facelift expected by 2021. Expect a premium over the current M5 Competition that retails at Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG E63 S and the upcoming Audi RS7 in India.