New BMW 5 Series gets M Performance styling and power tweaks
All-new 2017 BMW 5 Series models will get M Performance styling options, while select models get noticeable power hikes
BMW has taken the wraps off a range of M Performance styling tweaks and power upgrades for its new 5 Series, which will go on sale in February 2017.
The visual upgrades consist of carbon fibre finishes around the car’s exterior. The chin spoiler at the front is finished in the material, as is the rear diffuser, the lip spoiler on the boot lid and the car’s mirror caps.
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Alternatively, the front splitter and rear diffuser can be finished in black polyurethane, matching the black finishes applied to the kidney grilles and side sill stickers. It rides on new 20-inch wheels, available with a two-tone finish or in Orbit Grey.
Changes in the cabin are less dramatic. A sports steering wheel finished in alcantara with a red 12 o’clock centre mark is the only addition, finished with contrasting grey stitching.
The M Performance upgrades aren’t just visual though – some new 5 Series models will get power upgrades as well.
The 540i will be offered with the M Performance Power and Sound kit, boosting the output of its six-cylinder turbo engine to 355bhp overall and nudging torque up 50Nm to hit the 500Nm mark.
BMW claims the performance upgrade doesn’t affect fuel consumption or CO2 emissions, and it’s joined by a new sports exhaust system to coax the best noise from the six-cylinder engine with either circular or trapezoid exits in chrome or carbon fibre.
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The 530d diesel model will get a performance bump too, again without compromising on efficiency and emissions. The six-cylinder diesel gets 27bhp extra, taking total power up to 288bhp and torque up to 650Nm.
Better brakes will be offered on all models though. The sport brake system brings beefier, lightweight disks with aluminium four piston calipers at the front, while the calipers are finished in red all round.
The sporty additions could be tempting if you’re hankering after a hot version of the new 5 Series, but it shouldn’t be long until a new M5 appears.
What do you think of the new M Performance styling options? Let us know below...
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