BMW has been at the forefront of speed ever since the introduction of the original M5 (the E28) which introduced the world to big family saloon cars, capable of out-pacing purpose-built sports cars. This philosophy was cemented by the second generation M5 (the E34) and it had been a growing market since then – with BMW continuously chasing the top speed crown in its respective car classes.
However, in the last couple of years, it feels like BMW has been releasing a new high-performance car every month with the headline ‘the fastest BMW ever’. Whilst new releases have been living up to this claim each time, it happens in smaller increments. The M-Driver’s Package was available on cars as early as the E60 M5, which increased the electronically controlled top speed from 155mph – all the way to 189mph. This option is available on every M-car since then, meaning that if the box is ticked, the car is faster than any of its rivals.
BMW delivers on the promised “Sheer Driving Pleasure”, their previous slogan, “The Ultimate Driving Machine” definitely still applies. So, whichever of the following BMWs one fancies, they are all for “Aus Freude am Fahren”! (The Joy of Driving)
10 1996 BMW 850CSi (155 MPH+)
The BMW 8-Series was launched in 1990 and became a classic in the years since it was discontinued. BMW wanted to create an M-version of the 8-Series but deemed it too expensive and unnecessary with the recession of the 1990s. Instead, they created the 850CSi, which had an engine tuned by the M-Division and was built under an M-Division VIN number.
It had a 5.6-liter naturally-aspirated V12 mated to a 6-Speed manual gearbox as the only option. It can achieve a top speed in excess of 155 mph.
9 2021 BMW X6M Competition (177 MPH)
The current generation BMW X6M is the first model to offer a Competition variant to compete against the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX, Mercedes GLE63 AMG, and other super-SUVs.
The X6M can relatively easily beat many of the aforementioned performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus in a drag race; however, the Lamborghini will trump it as the BMW only has a top speed of 177 mph compared to the Urus’ 190 mph. That being said, 177 mph for a large SUV is mightily impressive.
8 2001 BMW M3 GTR (183 MPH)
The M3 GTR was built as a homologation model so that BMW could go racing with it. Unfortunately, only a reported eleven were built for sale, of which three were prototypes.
The GTR featured a 4.0-liter V8 producing 382 hp, mated to a 6-speed transmission with an unbelievable top speed of 183 mph. This made it faster than many supercars of the era.
7 2003 BMW M5 (186 MPH+)
The E39 designation of the M5 was the first of the M5s to get a proper V8, namely the S62 4.9-liter. It was mated to a 6-Speed manual only and was the fastest production saloon in the world at the time of production. The car produced 400 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which was unheard of in a large saloon at the time.
The normal E39 M5 is limited to 155 mph; however, if the ECU is derestricted, the car can achieve a top speed of more than 186 mph.
6 2010 BMW M5 (187 MPH)
The E60 BMW M5 was the first M5 – and the first saloon – to feature a V10 engine. It was rated at 500 hp and 38lb-ft of torque going through a 7-Speed SMG automated manual transmission to the rear wheels. A manual 6-Speed transmission was available exclusively for the North American market.
The top speed was limited to 155 mph; however, it was increased to 187 mph with the M-Driver’s Package fitted. At the time of production, the E60 M5 was the fastest production saloon available in the automotive world.
5 2016 BMW M4 GTS (188 MPH)
The M4 GTS was a more track-focused and hardcore version of the normal M4 Coupe. It was 60 lbs lighter, fitted with M-Performance parts, and changed to be water-cooled. It’s powered by the same S55 Twin-Turbocharged Straight-6 as found in the normal M4. However, power was increased to 500 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
The top speed was increased to 189 mph and it completed a lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife racetrack, 24 seconds faster than a normal M4 at 07:28:880, meaning it is as fast around the track as a Porsche Carrera GT.
4 2015 BMW M5 ‘30 Jahre Edition’ (189 MPH)
The BMW F10 M5 ‘30 Jahre Edition’ was a special edition M5 created to celebrate 30 years of the BMW M5.
It was available in two colors only, special wheels, and was fitted with the M-Driver’s Package, meaning it could reach 189 mph. Only 300 were produced worldwide, making the ‘30 Jahre Edition’ quite a rare car to own.
3 2018 BMW M5 Competition (189 MPH)
The BMW M5 Competition was introduced in 2018 as a more focused version of the normal M5. It offered more options within the M-Driver’s Package, including a carbon engine cover and an increased top speed of 189 mph, amongst other options.
The M5 Competition is available in most countries with a premium over the normal M5.
2 2021 BMW M8 Competition (189 MPH)
The BMW 8-Series was introduced as a replacement for the 6-Series but was elevated to a higher class than the 6-Series had ever been. It is now being branded as BMW’s GT and Super GT, depending on which version of the car is chosen. The M8 Competition is the highest specification available and is based on the M5 Competition, albeit slightly shorter.
It has the same ‘normal’ options as the M5; however, BMW’s Individual personalization division is available to customers who prefer their cars to be more exclusive. As with all the M-cars, the optional M-Driver’s Package is available, which increases the top speed to 189 mph.
1 2021 BMW M5 CS (190 MPH+)
The BMW M5 CS marks the first time that the CS nameplate has been used on an M5, as it is usually reserved for the M2, M3, and M4. It has the same 4.4-liter Twin-Turbo V8 as the M5 Competition, but power has been increased to 635 hp, however, torque remains the same. It does the 0-62 sprint in three seconds flat and has a top speed of 190 mph.
The M5 CS is the pinnacle of BMW’s line-up and is the fastest and most powerful car BMW has ever made.