BMW unveils the most powerful M5 super sedan ever

By Benjamin Zhang - Business Insider

BMW's legendary M5 sports sedan just got even better. On Tuesday, the Bavarian automaker unveiled the new 2019 BMW M5 Competition Sedan.

With a 617 horsepower, 4.4-liter, turbocharged V8 under the hood, it's the most powerful M5 ever produced. According to BMW, the Competition Sedan can hit 60 mph in a brisk 3.1 seconds while the sprint to 124 mph from a standstill happens in just 10.8 seconds. The Bimmer will eventually reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. However, an optional M Driver's package can raise that top speed to 189 mph.

The M5 puts its power to the pavement through an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-biased intelligent all-wheel-drive.

The M5 Competition Sedan along with the recently introduced M2 Competition Coupe will form a new sub-segment of uber-hot performance machines within BMW's vaunted M division.

As a result, the M5 Competition Sedan gets 17 more horsepower from the 4.4-liter V8 and can do 60 mph in 0.1 seconds quicker than the standard M5.

In addition, the Competition Sedan receives a modified high-flow exhaust system, firmer engine mounts, lower ride height, redesigned anti-roll bar mounts, lightweight alloy wheels, and optional carbon ceramic brakes.

The M5 Competition will also receive exclusive design features like black high-gloss finishes on the door handles and M5 badging. The interior gets new seat belts and floor mats with BMW M logos. There's also an M Competition graphic that pops up on the instrument cluster at startup.

The 2019 BMW M5 Competition Sedan enters production this July and will carry a starting price of $110,995. For comparison, the standard 2018 BMW M5 starts at $102, 600.