2021 BMW M5 CS pricing and specs detailed: Mercedes-AMG E63 S and Audi RS7-crushing sedan just months away

BMW Australia has confirmed its ballistic M5 CS for local showrooms, with only 20 examples landing from mid-2021 priced at $274,900 before on-road costs.

This places the M5 CS $28,000 above the M5 Competition ($246,900), as well as the Audi RS7 ($224,00) and Mercedes-AMG E63 S ($250,400), but the extra spend will net buyers the most powerful production engine to date from BMW.

Outputs from the 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 are lifted to 467kWm – a modest 7kW increase compared to Competition grades of the M5, M8, X5 M and X6 M – while torque remains steady at 750Nm.

Paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission and with drive fed to BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M5 CS will demolish the zero-to-100km/h sprint in just 3.0 seconds – 0.3s quicker than the M5 Competition.

However, it is not only the extra punch that helps the M5 CS get off the line quicker, as 70kg has been shed from the large sedan thanks in part to a two-seat second row.

M Carbon seats are also used for the front passengers, with all seats covered in black Merino leather and featuring red-contrast stitching.

As an added detail, each headrest also features an outline of the infamous Nurburgring circuit, while the front sports seats also score a light-up M5 logo.

On the outside, the M5 CS is easily distinguished by its ‘Gold Bronze’ accents found on the front grille surround, 20-inch forged wheels, front fender gills and badging.

Carbon-fibre is also used for the vented bonnet, roof front splitter, side-view mirror caps, rear diffuser and boot-lid spoiler to help shed the kilos.

Not content with the M5 CS just being quicker in a straight line though, BMW has also lowered the new super sedan by seven millimetres and fitted the shock absorbers from the M8 Gran Coupe for better handling and ride comfort.

Overall, the suspension has been retuned – considering the extra power and less weight, as well as sticker Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres that measure 275/35 in the front and 285/35 in the rear.

Also standard on the M5 CS are BMW’s Laserlight headlights, which feature a unique yellow-hued daytime running lights that activate in conjunction with high- and low-beams or when the car is unlocked.

According to BMW, “this use of yellow in the light tubes evokes endurance GT race cars in dramatic fashion and further sets the M5 CS apart on the road”.

Other standard appointments include an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, carbon-fibre shift paddles, Alcantara headliner, fixed centre console lid (to save weight), CS-marked dashboard and M5 CS-specific floor mats.

M Carbon ceramic brakes are also thrown in at no extra cost, saving around 23kgs over the standard brakes fitted to the M5 Competition.

BMW has also upped the ante of the M5 CS’ bark, fitting a new sports exhaust system that better amplifies the engine note, which can also be switched into different modes depending on driving mode.

BMW Australia has now opened order books for the M5 CS, which is only available to purchase online on a ‘first come first serve’ basis and requires a deposit of $5000. The drive-away pricing for the M5 CS is also set at $305,900.