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When it comes to large family sedans, getting sporty performance out of them is usually difficult due to their sheer size and weight. Yet, some manufacturers do it anyway, and in the case of BMW, they actually do a pretty good job at making large and robust cars feel like nimble performers.
BMW’s M division has always carried out the all-important and much-desired task of tuning the German carmaker’s regular lineup into extremely high performance versions of the base models. The M badge guarantees performance and thrill in exchange for extra cash, but that’s not where the story ends. BMW M variants can be further heightened by the Competition package, which adds more power and several design elements to make them even more beastly and exclusive.
The BMW M5 is the brand’s largest high-performance family sedan currently on sale, featuring immense driving capabilities without any sort of compromise to interior comfort and tech. For the 2023 model year, the Competition package is now offered as an optional upgrade to the base M5 instead of being sold separately, and it only costs about $8,000 more. Let's get into the enticing details of the 2023 BMW M5 Competition.
The BMW M5 Competition's Performance And Driving Dynamics
The standard M5, which can hardly be considered "standard," comes with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel-drive, capable of putting out 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The Competition package adds 17 horsepower for a total of 617 horsepower, a tuned exhaust system, and tighter suspension in what makes for an extremely sporty drive. The M5 Competition is claimed to make the 0-60 mph run in 3.2 seconds, but reality suggests that it can do it in as little as 2.8 seconds.
Steering might not be as precise and responsive as before, but the 2023 M5 still handles flawlessly even around tight corners, aided by plenty of grip and stiff suspension that prevents body roll, keeping the vehicle firmly planted at all times. Furthermore, even though the M5 comes with AWD, there’s a selectable mode that sends all the power to the rear wheels, making the driving experience even more thrilling.
Stiff driving and great handling are awesome, sure, but family sedans should also offer great comfort, and the 2023 M5 takes care of that seamlessly. When put into comfort mode, the dampers loosen up for a pillowy smooth ride, and cabin noise is reduced pretty much to nill. The M5 five can switch from a sporty road carver to an executive luxury driver on demand.
The BMW M5 Competition's Interior Comfort And Tech
In true family sedan nature, the 2023 BMW M5 offers plenty of room both upfront and in the rear, making it perfectly capable of comfortably accommodating 4 or even 5 people. The layout boasts quality materials in the form of leather, swayed cloths, and brushed metals, with grippy adjustable sports seats and an overall simple setup. You’ll find a landscape 12.3-inch touchscreen with an alternative swivel knob in the center console, and a fully-configurable digital drivers display. Four-zone climate control is adjusted via its own dedicated console. There are also plenty of storage compartments within the cabin itself, and the 14-cubic foot trunk allows for plenty of cargo.
Safety and utility features come in the form of a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, a wireless device charging bay, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, among others. When equipped with the Executive package, the M5 also comes with ventilated, heated, and cooled seats, some parking assist aids, and soft-closing doors.
Analyzing The Exterior Design Of The BMW M5 Competition
The overall appearance of the 2023 M5 is elegant and reasonably aggressive for a large sedan. Competition upgrades are offered in the form of larger 20-inch rims with multiple design options to choose from, sporty exterior trimming, Competition mirror caps, and upgraded headlights.
Up front, the BMW M5 showcases a bulging hood, a gloss-black kidney grille setup, and a set of large functional intakes. Down the side, you’ll find small air outlets behind the front fender along with a few extra body lines. Finally, the rear is decorated with a miniature trunk lip, a quad exhaust setup that sounds great with the Competition upgrade, and a rear spoked diffuser.
All in all, BMW continues to deliver with the M5 sports sedan, with a 2023 model that offers the best of both worlds as it brings together enticing performance and enjoyable comfort. At a starting price of about $117,500, the M5 competition definitely isn’t cheap, but then again, it shouldn’t be.