What's the news?
The seventh-generation of BMW 5 Series goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017 and already, the German carmaker is offering M Performance accessories for this brand-new model.
First up is a Power and Sound Kit for the 540i and 540i xDrive models. This uprates the TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine by 34hp and 50Nm, taking the 540i variants from 326hp and 450Nm to a fulsome 360hp and 500Nm. BMW - while promising this improves acceleration and mid-range performance, without specifying by how much - says this in no way affects the fuel economy of either 540i, the rear-wheel drive version attaining bests of 6.5 litres/100km (43.5mpg) and 149g/km of CO2, while the all-wheel drive turns in 6.9 litres/100km (40.9mpg) and 159g/km.
Exhaust trims in chrome or carbon fibre are available for the BMW M Performance silencer system fitted as part of the kit, but as a standalone item the backbox is available for the same two 540i models and the 530i/530i xDrive pair. This comes with either circular or trapezoidal tailpipe trims, depending on the engine variant.
If you're buying a diesel 5 Series - and, let's be honest, here in Ireland we almost certainly will be - then don't despair. The M Performance Active Sound system gives any diesel Five a sportier soundtrack, while from summer 2017 an M Performance Power Kit will be offered for the 530d and 530d xDrive. Like the package for the petrol BMWs, this upgrade adds 27hp and 30Nm to the 530d's headline stats, bringing the maximum outputs to 292hp and 650Nm. Again, the standard cars' fuel economy is retained: the RWD 530d does 4.5 litres/100km (62.8mpg) and 118g/km in its cleanest specification, while the AWD 530d xDrive gives back 5.0 litres/100km (56.5mpg) and 132g/km of CO2.
Aside from power-boosting packages, M Performance offers uprated brake kits with four-piston front callipers and lightweight, ventilated and perforated discs to help with stopping power, and 20-inch bicolour light alloy wheels on 245/35 front, 275/30 rear tyres to aid grip.
There are also visual styling items for both the exterior and interior of the new 5 Series, such as carbon fibre body addenda, black side sill attachments, a rear spoiler and diffuser both made of polyurethane, a black radiator grille and M Performance stickers and graphics for the body. Inside, choose from an M Performance steering wheel in Alcantara, bespoke shift paddles in models fitted with the eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic gearbox, and more.
All the BMW M Performance accessories are available through main dealerships and fitting them preserves the standard manufacturer warranty.
Anything else?
If all the M Performance accessories sound like they're not serious enough equipment for a division that's linked to BMW's most powerful cars, then you might be pleased to know there's a rapid M550i xDrive slated to join the 5 Series launch line-up. This has a 4.4-litre V8 developing 462hp and driving through all four wheels, making it a seriously fast machine: 0-100km/h takes a (provisional) 4.0 seconds dead. For reference, the outgoing M5, the 5 Series' halo model, achieves the same benchmark in 4.4 seconds, with only the 600hp Competition Edition managing to beat the M550i...