Meet the most powerful M5 ever

BMW's '30 Years' edition has got 592bhp, 516lb ft, and top speed’s ‘limited’ to 199mph

 

If you ever questioned the existence of German humour, allow us to introduce you to the BMW M5 30 Years Edition, which has a ‘limited' top speed of 199mph.

And the '30 Jahre M5' has several other exciting performance upgrades, which add an extra seam of hooliganism on top of the newly released M5 Competition Pack.

The engine, for one, has been given a special celebratory tweak. The boost pressure on M division's twin-turbo 4.4-litre direct injection V8's been turned up, and the ECU's been adjusted to cope, so it delivers 25 more bhp, boosting the total output to 592bhp. In other words, the most powerful production BMW ever built.

On the road, that translates to a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.9sec, that limited 199mph top speed, while still managing a not-terrible 28.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 231g/km.

As per protocol, it's strictly rear-wheel drive. Power's sent via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, which has had a few light software upgrades to cope with the extra muscle. Which, if our maths is correct, gives the 1870kg 30 Jahre a power to weight ratio of 317bhp per tonne.

Underneath, you'll find the same stuff as you would under the M5 Competition Package, so 10mm lowering springs, 20-inch wheels with 265/40 front tyres and huge 295/40s in the back.

Elsewhere, the 30 Jahre has new steering and differential software, matt silver metallic bodywork, de-chromed accents, embossed seats, and 30 Jahre badges.

BMW's being a bit humourless about where it'll be unveiled though, but the upcoming M Festival at the Nurburgring next month seems likely.