Spot the difference: 2014 BMW M5 gets minor facelift and Competition Package

By Stephen Edelstein Published May 21, 2013

We’re still trying to wrap our minds around the F10 BMW M5’s ferocious power and luxurious refinement, but BMW is already making changes. Like the rest of the 5 Series line, the M5 gets a midcycle refresh for the 2014 model year.

BMW says the M5 has received a light restyling, but if you can spot the differences, you deserve a medal.

The exterior changes are limited to a tweaked version of the 2013 car’s twin kidney grille, which now includes a small “M5” badge, similarly tweaked lower air intakes, redesigned LED taillights, and a modified rear bumper.

Xenon Adaptive Headlights are now standard, with LEDs as an option.

There are also a couple of changes inside the cabin. The 2014 M5 gets a redesigned multifunction steering wheel, and a touchscreen that passengers can use to enter navigation information with their fingers.

The most substantial change for 2014 is the addition of the Competition Package. It includes an extra 15 horsepower, bringing the total from the 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 to 575, a lowered and stiffened suspension, new 20-inch alloy wheels, and a sport exhaust system with black chrome tips.

BMW says the Competition Package will trim 0.1 second from the M5’s 0 to 60 mph, putting at or just below 4.0 seconds, depending on the transmission and other variables. The sportier suspension should also provide some handling benefits.

The Competition Package will also be offered on the M6, which is mechanically identical to the M5 under its coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe bodywork.

The 2014 BMW M5 goes on sale this fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on sale date.

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Cars

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?

Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Cars

EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says

ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.