BMW’s new M5 Competition Package ramps up the potential of its high-performance saloon, but can it beat the muscular Vauxhall VXR8 at going sideways? Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe takes both to the track to find out.
The 575 horsepower Competition Package comes with a series of upgrades to the chassis and ride settings. The M engineers have revised the suspension and damping systems, the stabilizer bars have also been more tautly tuned. In the BMW M5 this adjustment has resulted in a lowering of the car by around 10 millimeters.
The M Dynamic mode of the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system is even more acutely geared to sporty handling characteristics. The package additionally includes exclusively designed 20-inch M light-alloy wheels style 601M with performance tires. The customers also have the option to choose the 343M 20-inch wheels.
HSV, the company created by the late Tom Walkinshaw’s and still owned by his family, is a completely independent company from General Motors’ Australian arm, Holden, and the builder of the Vauxhall VXR8 takes.
The VXR8 is the successor to the Monaro VXR and was originally powered by a GM LS2 6.0 liter V8 and is now powered by a GM LS3 Corvette 6.2 liter V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette C6, and the Chevrolet Camaro SS.
It has 577bhp and 546lb ft.
Which one is a better drifter? Let’s have a look.
