BMW takes on the ‘Competition’
BMW Australia’s new M5 Competition, which replaces the launch edition of the sixthgeneration super-sedan introduced locally just seven months ago, is expected to continue the strong sales momentum of the 5 Series ÀDJVKLS
Though BMW Australia 5 Series product manager Howard Lam would not be drawn on sales expectations, he told Goauto the Bavarian brand had already taken a number of orders for WKH QHZ 0 &RPSHWLWLRQ
“In terms of pre-orders, what we see LV DW WKH PRPHQW LW¶V D IDLU DPRXQW I couldn’t quote numbers for you and we remain highly positive of the M5 &RPSHWLWLRQ ´ KH VDLG
“I couldn’t tell you if our allocation has been exhausted at this point in WLPH EXW LI \RX ZHUH WR ZDON LQWR D GHDOHUVKLS QRZ \RX W\SLFDOO\ RUGHU two months in advance of production, so you’d be looking at January production that would arrive in about 0DUFK ´
Only 50 units of the pre-competition M5 were imported for local consumption, all of which ‘sold out very, very TXLFNO\¶ DFFRUGLQJ WR 0U /DP
The previous-generation M5 was WKH ¿UVW %0: PRGHO WR LQWURGXFH WKH Competition moniker in 2014 globally, offered as a package that increases engine power and tweaks the suspension, but locally the nameplate ZDV DYDLODEOH DV D VWDQGDORQH YDULDQW
In previous-generation form, nearly 40 percent of buyers opted for the Competition upgrade, which has led BMW Australia to offer the new M5 in the single, more powerful and highO\ VSHFL¿HG YDULDQW
“Australians love power, and in this segment there’s no need for a base 0 ´ 0U /DP VDLG ³:H ZDQW WR RIIHU to customers the best possible product in this segment, hence the M5 ComSHWLWLRQ ´
When asked whether the new-generation M5 will gain a cheaper Pure grade like its predecessor, and its M2, M3 and M4 siblings, Mr Lam said the business case was still being VWXGLHG
“Never say never, we are always continuously having a look at our product and reviewing what’s right for WKH PDUNHW ´ KH VDLG
“We have an edition strategy that focuses on editions such as Pure, so that’s always being assessed after PDUNHW DQG FXVWRPHU IHHGEDFN ´
As previously reported, BMW’S new ÀDJVKLS 6HULHV VHGDQ JDLQV DQ H[WUD 19kw of power by increasing boost pressure from the twin-turbocharged
OLWUH SHWURO 9 Peak power now hits 460kw at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 750Nm, unchanged, is available from
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Matched to an eight-speed torqueconverter automatic transmission and a rear-biased xdrive all-wheel-drive system, the M5 Competition can accelerate from zero to 100kmh in just
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Priced at $229,900 plus on-road costs, the M5 Competition is also $30,000 more expensive than the UHJXODU 0 EXW MXVWL¿HV LWV SUHPLXP not only with more power, but more HTXLSPHQW WRR
Standard features include a 16-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, M Carbon engine cover, soft-close doors, electronically controlled rear roller blind, manual sunblinds for rear ocFXSDQWV DQG IRXU ]RQH FOLPDWH FRQWURO
Other mechanical changes include a 7mm lower ride height, increased negative camber in the front wheels for improved mid-corner grip and revised spring rates in an effort to UHGXFH XQGHUVWHHU
To scrub speed, the M5 Competition LV ¿WWHG ZLWK VL[ SLVWRQ FDOOLSHUV XS front and single-pot rears, biting onto YHQWHG URWRUV ,I WKDW¶V QRW HQRXJK buyers can spend an extra $16,500 for FDUERQ FHUDPLF EUDNHV
Twenty-inch wheels are standard in a choice of three different designs, ZKLOH W\UH VSHF LV XS IURQW DQG
DW WKH UHDU Other mechanical changes include an M Sport exhaust system which can be toggled fully open with the press of D VSHFL¿F EXWWRQ
Apart from the mechanical changes, the M5 Competition can easily be LGHQWL¿HG E\ LWV ERG\ FRORXU GRRUKDQGOHV YDULDQW VSHFL¿F EDGJLQJ DQG FDUERQ ¿EUH URRI DV ZHOO DV JORVV EODFN ¿QLVKHV WR WKH IURQW JULOOH H[WHULRU mirror caps, front fender gills, winGRZ OLQHV DQG UHDU DSURQ
Inside, occupants are treated to electronically controlled front sport VHDWV VSHFL¿F µ0 &RPSHWLWLRQ¶ VWDUW up graphic, keyless entry, red start button, colour head-up display and M5 door sills, as well as three driving PRGHV ± &RPIRUW 6SRUW DQG 6SRUW 3OXV ± DQG WZR 0 PRGH EXWWRQV RQ WKH VWHHULQJ ZKHHO
For drift fans, the M5 Competition is also able to switch to rear-drive mode WR VHQG DOO RXWSXW WR WKH UHDU D[OH
,QIRWDLQPHQW LV KDQGOHG E\ D inch touchscreen unit that features satellite navigation, digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity, but Apple Carplay and wireless smartphone charging are optional extras costing
DQG UHVSHFWLYHO\ $Q HOHFWULF VXQURRI FDQ DOVR EH ¿WWHG as a no-cost option for those who enjoy open-air motoring, as can a heated steering wheel, $500, smoker’s package, $90, front and rear cooled seats, $1500, front and rear heated seats, $700, and M Driver’s Package, $2250, that increases top speed from 250kmh WR NPK ± 7XQJ 1JX\HQ