BMW Refreshes 5 Series and Unveils M5 and M6 Competition Packages

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
8471 photos
43 videos
has revealed a refreshed 5 SeriesBMW 5 Series Gen.6 [F10]Germany, 2010 > 2016180 versions
475 photos
, and you need to be a BMW expert or have very keen eyes to see the differences. However, the M5BMW M5Germany, 2012 > 200028 photos
1 video
and all variants of the M6BMW M6Germany, 2012 > present12 photos
also receive a new, optional Competition Package that boosts power from 553hp to 567hp, among other upgrades. 

5 Series

The 5 Series get slight changes to the design and new engine options for the refresh. 

There are added contour lines around the kidney grill, new air intakes in front grill, an extra crease in the rear apron and newly designed rear lights. The Gran TurismoBMW 535i Gran TurismoGermany, 2009 > present2 photos
gets a changed front apron, a lower rear bumper with a new design around the license plate holder and an extra chrome strip on the rear bumper.

All 5 Series come with standard xenon headlights and have optional adaptive LED headlights and optional LED fog lights. Turn signals have been added to the side mirrors. 

Inside, the refreshed cars all get chrome trim around the infotainment display and larger storage compartments and larger cup holders in the center console. The Gran Turismo has 60 liters (2.1 cubic feet) more rear cargo room.

The drivetrains have also received an upgrade for the refresh. All models with the eight-speed automatic now have stop/start and regenerative braking. There is a new 518d model with a four-cylinder diesel producing 141hp that uses 4.5l/100km and emits 119g/km of CO2. BMW has also added the 520d xDrive. The V8 in the M550d has been upgraded to produce 443hp.

M5

The M5 gets its own suite of upgrades as part of the refresh. The kidney grill now has an "M5" badge on the top right, and it gets a special grill with slats styled after the double-spoke wheels. There is a new M leather steering wheel that is also inspired by the wheels. There are three new colors on the M5 - Pure Metal Silver, Pyrite Brown metallic and Frozen Blue metallic. There are also two new leather colors - Cashmere Beige and Nutmeg.

M5 and M6 Competition Package

The new Competition Package boosts power by 15hp over the standard M5 and M6 to 567hp and adds carbon-ceramic brakes as an option. 

The cars also get a stiffer suspension with updated dampers and thicker stabilizer bars. The changes lower the car by 10mm. The M Differential gets is own control unit when buyers opt for the Competition Package. It also replaces the electric power steering with a traditional hydraulic unit. Buyers also get 20in wheels exclusive to the package.

Overall, it takes 0.1 seconds away on the run to 100km/h and 0.2 seconds to 200km/h, but the biggest changes are to the handling.