Last month, the 2021 BMW 5 Series facelift debuted with a host of significant upgrades. Now, BMW is wasting no time applying these updates to the M5 performance sedan. To give the exterior a refresh, the 2021 BMW M5 has been fitted with a larger kidney grille and redesigned front and rear bumpers, giving the performance sedan a more aggressive appearance. The kidney grille now extends further down into the front bumper and features a chrome surround.

Don't worry though, it isn't as oversized as the massive mouth found on the 2021 BMW 4 Series.

Larger air intakes are located on either side of the front bumper, while slimmer, redesigned LED headlights give the M5 a more modern look. A restyled rear bumper and diffuser and new L-shaped taillights highlight the rear design changes.

The M5 Competition also has a black finish applied to the kidney grille surround, the front fender side-gill mesh inserts, the exterior mirror caps, the rear trunk spoiler, name badges and rear bumper inserts, while the quad exhaust system is finished in black chrome. New exterior colors for the 2021 BMW M5 include Brands Hatch Grey Metallic, Motegi Red Metallic, and Tanzanite Blue II Metallic.

Like the regular BMW 5 Series, the interior of the 2021 M5 has been upgraded with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. This is a welcome upgrade over the 10.25-inch displays in the previous model.

Extended Merino Leather seats are offered as standard in Silverstone, Aragon Brown, or black. Alternatively, the upholstery can be trimmed in Full Merino Leather or Individual Full Merino Leather. The interior is trimmed in Aluminum Carbon Structure with Aluminium Dark Structure trim and Fineline Ridge Wood trim options available at no extra cost. Optional trim choices include Individual Piano Black and Plum Brown Wood.

Under the hood, the 2021 BMW M5 is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 600 horsepower and 553 -lb-ft of torque in the standard M5 and 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque in the M5 Competition, so there are no power gains over the pre-facelift model. 0-62 mph takes 3.2 seconds in the M5 and 3.1 seconds in the M5 Competition.

Both models will top out at an electronically limited 155 mph or 190 mph with the optional M Drivers Package.

Power is sent to a rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. If you fancy some tail-sliding action, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system can be switched to RWD mode, which deactivates the stability and traction control systems. 19-inch wheels are offered as standard for the M5, while the M5 Competition rides on 20-inch wheels.

As with the M8, the M mode settings can now be accessed using a single M mode button, which replaces the previous individual buttons for the engine, chassis, suspension, steering, and xDrive system.

Standard driver assists include lane departure warning with steering, frontal collision and pedestrian warning with braking function, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision preparation, automatic high beams, and speed limit information. An optional Driving Assistance Professional Package can also be equipped, which adds active cruise control with stop & go, level 2 autonomous extended traffic jam assist for limited access highways, lane-keeping assist with side collision avoidance, evasion aid, front cross-traffic alert, and emergency stop assistant.

The 2021 BMW M5 will arrive in US dealers this August. Pricing starts at $103,500 for the M5 Sedan and $111,100 for the M5 Competition Sedan excluding the $995 destination charge.