BMW M5 facelift revealed

This is the facelifted BMW M5. The car made its debut at an exclusive event for the press and invited current M-car owners on the eve of the Nurburgring 24-hour race. First UK cars arrive in September, with prices starting at £73,505 - just £130 more than now.

The new M5 features adaptive LED headlights and new 'thin blade technology' LED tail-lights that look very similar to those of the outgoing model. Other exterior tweaks include a new design for the trademark kidney grille, which now features slim gloss-black vents and an M badge.

There is also a new set of two-tone seven-spoke 20-inch lightweight alloys, plus new colour choices, including a number of matt finishes.

A set of carbon ceramic brakes are optional, while inside, there's a new steering wheel with two M buttons on it.

This time around, buyers will be able to opt for the Competition Package. This boosts power of the 4.4-litre V8 from 552bhp to 567bhp, and helps cut 0.1-seconds from the 0-62mph time, taking the claimed sprint to 4.2 seconds.

However, rival Mercedes’ E-Class E63 AMG S Model still wins the power war, with 577bhp and a 4.1-second 0-62mph time.

Also included with the M5’s Competition Package is sports suspension, which lowers the car by 10mm and includes stiffer roll bars. The hydraulic power steering has also been made 10 per cent faster and the package is rounded off with a sports exhaust with chromed tailpipes.

The Competition Package will also be available on the BMW M6 and M6 Gran Coupe, and costs £6,700 extra on all cars - less than the £9,995 Mercedes asks for the jump to its S Model E63 AMG.