Limited-edition 2020 BMW M5 celebrates nameplate's 35th birthday

May 17, 2019, 1:41am ET

Only 35 examples are coming to the U.S.

The BMW M5 turns 35 in 2020. To celebrate the occasion, the Munich-based automaker announced a limited-edition version of its mighty sports sedan aptly named Edition 35. The commemorative package brings visual updates inside and out, but it doesn't include mechanical modifications.

BMW asked its Individual department, which specializes in customization, to create the limited-edition M5. The Edition 35 stands out from a regular-production model with Frozen Dark Grey II metallic paint, 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels, and high-gloss black paint on the brake calipers. BMW deleted the emblems from the trunk lid for a more low-key look.

The treatment continues inside. BMW Individual added leather-upholstered M Sport seats with beige contrast stitching, plus gold anodized aluminum carbon trim on the center console and the dashboard. Every Edition 35 comes with the Executive Package, which bundles a long list of luxury features like soft-close doors, power sunshades, a wireless device charger, plus heated front and rear seats, among others. BMW also added the M Driver's package, which raises the electronic speed limiter and includes a driving school voucher to help buyers get to know their M5.

Since the Edition 35 is based on the M5 Competition, power comes from a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8 engine tuned to deliver 617 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 553 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 5,860 rpm. It spins the four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an M-specific version of BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The company quotes a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds, and a top speed of 189 mph.

BMW will cap production of the M5 Edition 35 at 350 cars worldwide, and it's sending only 35 of those to America. Pricing starts at $128,995 including a destination charge and a mandatory gas guzzler charge. American-spec models will be produced in September and October of 2019, so deliveries will begin shortly after.