BMW Reveals Range-Topping M550i. No, This is Not the M5

To coincide with the premiere of the new BMW 5 Series G30 range, the company is bringing out the M Performance version of the sedan – the M550i xDrive which will assume the status of range-topper in the new BMW 5 Series line-up.

Powered by a specifically modified 4.4L M Performance TwinPower Turbo V8 engine which produces 462hp and 650Nm of maximum torque, the car is capable of sprinting from naught to 100km/h in 4-seconds and clock a top speed of 250km/h, while consuming 8.9L/100km of fuel (combined).

Delivering all the power from that massive engine to the wheels is handled by a standard-fit Steptronic Sport eight-speed transmission, complemented by the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system which splits drive power between all four wheels as the situation demands – intelligently and with a rear-wheel bias.

Further enhancing the whole performance package is the adaptive M Sport suspension, along with the standard 19-inch M light-alloy wheels or the optional 20-inch light-alloy wheels, as well as M Sport brakes with brake callipers in Blue metallic and M badging.

On the outside, the M550i gets the M aerodynamic package which includes an M rear spoiler with Gurney flap on the boot lid, special M Performance bars on the front air intake, two ‘Air Breathers’ at the sides, Cerium Grey metallic finish, and of course, an M sports exhaust system with exclusive tailpipe embellishers in Black chrome.

Inside, you get illuminated door sills bearing the inscription “M550i xDrive”, M sports seats upholstered in Black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching, the latest version of the M sports steering wheel, M design floor mats and special interior trim strips and pedals made from aluminium.

Just like the other models in the latest-generation BMW 5 Series line-up, the BMW M550i xDrive also offers an even wider choice of assistance systems to help the driver, if desired.

These include an evasion aid, crossing traffic warning system and active Lane Change Warning, which uses steering inputs to avert an impending collision. The optionally available Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assistant now feature extended functionality. And Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, which allows speed limits to be automatically imported into the cruise control system, likewise represents another step along the road to automated driving for the BMW M550i xDrive.

The above-mentioned are of course, on top of the latest generation BMW Connected system, which links up devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, computers and tablets, as well as the vehicle’s navigation system, via the BMW servers.

The new system also merges the functions and services of the familiar BMW Remote app and BMW Connected app. Plus, users are able to access products such as ParkNow for digitised reservation and payment of parking spaces, not to mention the intelligent On-Street Parking Information feature, which identifies the areas of a town where drivers are most likely to find a free parking spot.

That said, the new BMW M550i xDrive is scheduled to join the existing model line-up in March 2017.