What's this then?

BMW has revealed new M Performance Parts that are now available for its M3 and M5 super saloons at the SEMA Show. SEMA, or the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is held in Las Vegas, US and is the biggest event of its kind, where vehicle tuners, tweakers and modifiers gather every year to show off their latest kit, usually in the form of one-off concept cars that are usually heavily modified production models. Car makers have got in on the act in recent years, with specials coming from Ford, Jeep, GM, Chrysler/Dodge, Kia and many more.

Why is BMW there?

Two reasons. One, it's showing off a bodykit and other add-ons for the new M5 which goes on sale early next year. We don't know yet exactly what parts will be available for the new 600hp super-saloon with switchable four-wheel drive, but BMW says that they will "underscore the high-performance sedan's sporty and luxurious appearance, while also fulfilling functional requirements in terms of aerodynamics, cooling and lightweight construction".

Will they make it any faster?

Do you need more than 600hp? Probably not, no - these will be styling add-ons, mostly, as there will be a more powerful Competition Pack available for the M5 later next year.

And the M3?

BMW is celebrating 30 years of the M3 in the US at the show, and a special car has been created jointly by BMW Designworks in California and BMW Individual. The new car is previewed by these murky teaser images, and its design is said to hark back to the M3's three decades of motorsport success.

Anything else?

Yes. BMW is bringing a classic BMW M1 IMSA racing car, as well as the current M2 MotoGP safety car. In terms of modern kit, there are new bodykits and performance parts for the BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance, BMW 440i and BMW X3 xDrive30i.

Neil Briscoe - 28 Oct 2017