After numerous leaks and teases, BMW has just unveiled the updated 2021 F90 BMW M5. At the launch, BMW will be offering two variants of the new performance sedan – the regular M5 and the M5 Competition.

Exterior – Sharper-looking than before

Kicking things off is the updated exterior. Like the rest of the G30 family, the M5 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, facelift in BMW talk) gets the same slim LED headlights with L-shaped LED daytime running lights, flanking a new signature kidney grille. Compared to its plebian siblings, the new M5 gains a more aggressive front bumper with redesigned air intakes.

Towards the rear-end of the new M5 LCI, it gets the same dark-finish LED tail lights like the other 5 Series models. The rear bumper has been redesigned, while the lower half of the bumper is now finished in black.

Buyers of the new F90 BMW M5 and M5 Competition can opt for 20-inch M Double Spoke 810M alloy wheels lifted from the M8.

Brands Hatch Grey and Motegi Red are both new colours for the new M5 and M5 Competition. For a more personalized touch, BMW offers the BMW Individual Tanzanite Blue II metallic, Aventurine Red II metallic and matte Frozen Bluestone metallic. Champagne Quartz metallic has been renamed to Alvit Grey metallic.

Interior – Largely identical, but with some enhancements

Unlike the exterior updates, changes inside are more subtle – the infotainment display size has gone up from 10.25-inch to 12.3-inch. Furthermore, the new infotainment system is able to display vital stats when Sport or Track mode is activated.

Another small but welcomed addition is the Setup button positioned above the M Mode button on the centre console that allows the drive to personalize the car’s setup according to their preference.

Rounding off the interior is the new Merino Midrand beige and black leather upholstery, though this is limited to the M5 Competition.

Handling – New shocks from the M8 Gran Coupe

The single biggest improvement that BMW M has done to the new F90 M5 Competion is updating the shock absorbers with the ones lifted from the M8 Gran Coupe.

According to BMW, the new shock absorbers improve the new M5 Competition’s handling and comfort levels.

In addition to improving handling and comfort levels, the new shock absorbers also lower the M5 Competition by another 7 mm than the regular M5.

Powertrain – Just as mental as before

Both the M5 and M5 Competition feature a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine, albeit with different power output figures.

In the M5, the engine does 600 PS and 750 Nm, while the M5 Competition outputs 625 PS and 750 Nm. The extra 25 PS allows the M5 Competition to shave 0.1 seconds off the 0-100 km/h sprint when compared to the regular M5 (3.3 seconds vs 3.4 seconds).

In Germany, the new BMW M5 is priced from EUR 120,900, while the M5 Competition goes for EUR 129,900.