The BMW M5 CS and M5 Competition are both titans of performance, but a common question among enthusiasts is whether the M5 CS truly packs more horsepower under the hood, or if its blistering speed is simply down to weight savings. Speculation runs rampant in forums and comment sections: Is there a unique tune for the CS, or are the power figures essentially the same? Let’s dive into the details and see what the data suggests about M5 Comp Horsepower versus the coveted CS variant.
According to Car and Driver’s instrumented testing, we can see a subtle difference in the official numbers provided by BMW. Looking at their comprehensive tests of all F90 M5 models, including the base M5, M5 Competition, and the limited-edition M5 CS, some interesting figures emerge. Let’s examine the horsepower and performance metrics they recorded:
Car and Driver Performance Specs:
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M5 CS:
- Power: 627 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
- Curb Weight: 4096 lb
- 0-60 mph: 2.6 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 10.6 sec @ 130 mph
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M5 Competition:
- Power: 617 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
- Curb Weight: 4237 lb
- 0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 10.9 sec @ 128 mph
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M5:
- Power: 600 hp @ 6600 rpm
- Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
- Curb Weight: 4288 lb
- 0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 10.9 sec @ 129 mph
From these figures, it’s apparent that the M5 CS is officially rated with a slight horsepower advantage over the M5 Competition – a bump of 10 horsepower. While both cars share the same peak torque figure, the M5 CS boasts 627 hp compared to the M5 Competition’s 617 hp. The standard M5 sits slightly lower at 600 hp.
However, it’s crucial to consider that these are manufacturer-provided numbers and can sometimes vary in real-world dyno testing. The original question rightly points out the lack of readily available side-by-side dyno comparisons between the M5 CS and M5 Competition. Without independent dyno tests, it’s challenging to definitively confirm the exact horsepower difference at the wheels.
Despite the marginal horsepower increase, the performance figures from Car and Driver clearly demonstrate the M5 CS’s superiority in acceleration. It outpaces the M5 Competition in 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph, and quarter-mile times. While some of this performance gain can be attributed to the slight power bump, a significant factor is the M5 CS’s reduced curb weight. Being lighter than the M5 Competition contributes significantly to its enhanced agility and acceleration.
In conclusion, while the M5 CS does have a slightly higher official horsepower rating than the M5 Competition, the performance difference you feel on the road and track is likely a combination of this minor power increase and, more importantly, the substantial weight reduction in the CS model. Whether the engine and transmission tuning are distinctly different beyond this nominal horsepower bump remains a topic for further exploration, ideally with detailed dyno comparisons. For now, the data indicates that both models are incredibly potent, with the M5 CS leveraging a lightweight design to maximize its performance edge.
