Image: BMW Group Press
If the 'standard' BMW M5 Competition wasn't quite enough to tickle your Bavarian fancy, then the engineers at Munich have come up with this much faster, more track-focused version: the 635hp M5 CS.
If BMW were really honest, chances are they would've developed this car off the back of acknowledging that Mercedes' AMG division currently holds the lap record for the 'executive class' car at the Nurburgring Nordschleife at 7 minutes and 25 seconds, with the aim of obliterating that record and placing BMW's M division at the top of the leader board.
It's clear that the N'Ring is among the top of BMW's priority list as the map is outlined on the seat headrests.
Image: BMW Group Press
The main changes for the CS include a weight loss of 70kg, an extra 10hp over the standard M5 Competition and extensive use of carbon fibre and Alcantara trim throughout the interior.
Carbon ceramic brakes are also included as well as uprated suspension as found on the M8 Gran Coupe. Also specific to the CS are the notable body panel changes for added aggression and a neat touch in the form of yellow headlights. These can change back to white, depending on legislation, but those haven't been seen since the earlier E28 and E34 M5s when fitted with Signature Yellow headlights for the French marketplace.
Image: BMW Group Press
The new paint finishes are also bespoke to the CS, including the matte green seen on this launch specification car. There is even a power bulge on the bonnet to differentiate the CS from the peasantry standard versions.
But what's also interesting is that BMW hasn't decided to go down the route of enormous kidney grilles, as seen on the new M3 and M4. This is a sign that the designers don't have to be controversial in order to cause a stir.
As per M5 tradition, it's incredibly fast. Power comes from a 4.4 litre V8 producing 635hp mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. It's claimed to go from 0-60 in 3 seconds flat, although this is probably underrated by BMW as lesser versions have been clocked below that. Top speed is 189mph without the limiter, so in a straight line, it should give a lot of supercars a run for their money.
Image: BMW Group Press
Image: BMW Group Press
Prices for the M5 CS haven't yet been confirmed, but for the UK market, it's rumoured to be starting around the £140,000 mark - making this a serious contender to the likes of not only the normal rivals consisting of Audi's RS6, Merc's E63 AMG, but also upper-tier executive cars like the AMG GT 4-Door, Porsche Panamera Turbo S and even BMW's very own M8 Gran Coupe!
Will this be the ultimate M car that slaps AMG off the Nurburgring leader board, or will it merely be a slightly lighter M5 Competition with some yellow headlights added.
Image: BMW Group Press
We are yet to find out once press drives become available and if BMW marks their territory on the track, but nevertheless, despite the (rumoured) enormous price tag, this promises to be one of the most extreme BMWs produced since the M3 GTR from around 15 years ago.
It is also nice to see that manufacturers are holding onto the big, powerful engines for a little while longer before everything turns to either hybrid or electric guise.
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