F10 BMW M5 LCI gets a new Competition Package – 575 hp power boost also available on M6 variants

Here comes the F10 BMW M5 LCI to go along with the facelifted 5 Series range. Mid-life updates for M cars have always been limited to subtle visual and tech refreshers to bring it in line with the rest of the 5 Series line-up, and it’s no different here. Completely new though, is the Competition Package option that’s now available on the new M5 and all M6 variants. More on that later.

As seen on the spyshots and configurator photos we featured earlier, the F10 M5 LCI sports a new ‘double-line’ kidney grille with a model designation badge, just like on the M6 models. The standard Xenon lights get new internal graphics (as do the rear light clusters), and Adaptive LED Headlamps with reshaped Corona Rings (flat top and bottom lines) are now an option.

Inside, the M5 gets all the updates introduced with the 5 Series LCI revision including a bigger armrest storage compartment, chrome-trimmed iDrive display and an optional Touch Controller. The slimmer three-spoke M steering wheel first seen on the M6 also makes an appearance here, and more interior as well as exterior options are available in the BMW Individual programme.

The 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 engine with 560 hp and 680 Nm of torque remains untouched, as are the seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, Active M Differential and M-specific suspension settings. If you get a standard M5, it really wont drive any differently than the original F10 super saloon but more speed and dynamism can be had with the new Competition Package.

Tick the ”560 hp isn’t enough” box when specifying your new M5, M6 Coupe, Convertible or Gran Coupe and you’ll get 575 hp at your disposal. Max power is developed over the same 6,000 to 7,000 rpm range as in the standard engine, and peak torque, though unchanged at 680 Nm, is maintained for 200 rpm more than before (now 1,500 to 6,000 rpm).

The extra power shaves off 0.1 and 0.2 seconds off all models’ zero to 100 km/h and 200 km/h times respectively. Equipped with the competition package, such figures for the M5 are 4.3 and 12.8 seconds, the M6 Coupe 4.1 and 12.4, M6 Convertible 4.2 and 12.9 and finally M6 Gran Coupe 4.1 and 12.5 respectively.

Chassis set-up changes are also part of the package. Suspension, dampers and stabiliser bars are all stiffened up, and ride height is lowered by another 10 mm. The Active M Differential and steering get bespoke settings for improved traction and agility too, while the DSC in M Dynamic mode now intervenes less.

Exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels as pictured are included in the power pack, and the exhaust tips are now finished in black chrome. Unfortunately the lightweight M carbon ceramic brakes with Gold calipers remain as a cost option. Standard steel brakes have M-specific blue-painted calipers.

Mercedes-Benz have long offered optional power packs on most of its AMG vehicles, marketed as Performance Packages. Just recently the latest E 63 AMG gained a new S Model range topper, which is not dissimilar to this BMW Competition Package. Competitive much, guys?