The Interim M5
BMW, along with announcing the most technical and efficient variant of its new 7th-generation 5 Series family - the 530e iPerformance - has also revealed the most powerful version yet, the M550i xDrive.
The car straddles the line between the standard 5-Series and the upcoming M5 super saloon, bringing the performance very close to M Division territory with its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. And the xDrive moniker also denotes that it’s all-wheel driven, a drive layout that’s suspected to also be featured in the next M5.
The V8 in the M550i xDrive is very similar to the unit used in the current F10-generation M5 and is also purported to be carried over to its next evolution. Here it develops 340kW and 651Nm of torque that’s available at a virtually on tap, as early as 1,800rpm.
The ZF-sourced 8-speed transmission (Sport Steptronic) is tasked with executing gear shifts here, and while it’s not as quick between ratios as the M-DCT dual-clutch that the next M5 will no doubt use, it’s focus isn’t to be the ultimate four-door track monster and thus is a better fit for the on-road use it will be predominantly find itself in.
The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 4 seconds, or so says the official word from BMW, largely thanks to its xDrive system to spread the power away from overwhelming the rear tyres. For comparison, the current M5 in its standard guise takes 4.4 seconds while the most powerful version, the “30 Jahre” and its 447kW manages a 3.9 second sprint.
There’s little doubt that while the M5 Jahre can accelerate that quickly, the new M550i xDrive can do it far more consistently, and perhaps in many cases beat it in a straight drag race. It comes with BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension and sits 10mm lower than the standard G30 5 Series and is naturally fitted with a bodykit for that more aggressive look. Additionally, it’s rides on 19-inch M-light alloy Cerium Grey matte wheels but are also available with larger 20-inchers as an option.
BMW says this most powerful of their next 5 Series will be available in selected markets from July 2017. It should be more than enough to tide us over while the next full-blooded M5 gets its finishing touches.
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