Top Gear’s Rory Reid recently climbed behind the wheel of the 616 HP (625 PS) BMW M5 Competition Pack in order to see how it stacks up to a DMS-tuned model in a straight line drag race.
At first glance, the numbers are definitely not in the former’s favor. Its peak torque output is the same as the regular M5’s, at 553 lb-ft (750 Nm), whereas the M5 DMS puts down 649 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque, to go with its 774 HP (784 PS) – all for three extra grand ($3,900).
Not exactly a fair fight
While roughly 160 HP might not make that much of a difference if you’re racing a Bugatti against a Koenigsegg, it can prove decisive when it comes to super-saloons like the BMW M5, especially since both of these cars weigh about the same.
Still, the M5 Competition is no pushover, featuring an increased spring rate (compared to a regular M5) and new engine mounts to go with the extra juice squeezed out of its 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine. It’s also interesting that the M5 Comp has been known to defeat rivals with more grunt over a 1/4 mile, like it did in its battle against the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S, which has almost as much torque as the M5 DMS.
So, off the line, the two Bimmers were neck and neck as they built up speed, racing towards the finish line. Of course in the end, there could only be one winner.