Is the M5 still on sale?

It appears so, though with an all-new BMW 5 Series due to be unveiled in the coming months, it can't be for long. Hence the appearance of what might be a runout model for the current car. It's called the M5 Competition Edition and production will be limited to just 200 units for worldwide consumption.

Ok, what'll she do mister?

How about 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds for starters? That's a cool half a second faster than standard and is thanks in no small part to a series of upgrades for the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine. Power now peaks at 600hp at 6,250rpm, while there's a high, wide torque plateau of 700Nm from 1,500- to 6,000rpm. Top speed is still limited to 155mph, unless you go for the M Driver's Package, which lifts it to 190mph.

Is the chassis tweaked to cope?

It is indeed. The Competition Package is standard here, so there are stiffer springs, anti-roll bars and dampers, a 10mm lower ride height and updates to the software for the Active M differential at the back, the Servotronic power steering up front and the M Dynamic Mode of the DSC system.

And how can we tell it apart from the regular M5?

It'll be black or white for a start (Carbon Black or Mineral White, both metallic), with Jet Black polished 20-inch alloy wheels, a few carbon bits from M Performance parts, a gloss black grille and a 'M5 Competition' badge slapped on the side gills.

Inside, there's a build number plaque, an uprated Bang & Olufsen stereo, special floor mats and a black and white colour scheme for the stitched leather upholstery.

So, assuming I can still get one, how much is it?

Oh, only £100,995 on-the-road.

Shane O' Donoghue - 21 Jul 2016