NO TRACK STAR, BUT A LOT OF CAR AND A LOT OF FUN
BMW’s luxurious and hefty not-quite M5 equal parts Superman and Clark Kent
OK, it might not be the über BMW — the iconic M5, motherof-all-kick-ass-Eurosedans — but the all-new M550i xDrive is no half-hearted effort on the part of the German automaker.
The car takes the premier spot, the company proudly proclaims, as the top-line performance car in the 5 Series lineup. Having 455 horsepower emanating from a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre V8 being sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission are bona-fides worthy of the proclamation. Still, there’s a bit of confusion going on here — or maybe it’s just me.
Yes, the M550i is the champ, but only if you don’t consider the M5 to be part of the regular 5 Series. Here’s the official word from BMW: its M Performance Automobiles — the new M550i xDrive as well as the M240i, X4 M40i xDrive and M760i xDrive — are “exclusive products from BMW M GmbH positioned between the top-of-the-range BMW core models and the BMW M models built for maximum performance.”
In other words, according to Frank van Meel, chief executive of BMW M GmbH, “we develop the BMW M Performance Automobiles for customers who are seeking very sporty driving characteristics yet do not wish to sacrifice any of their BMW’s everyday practicality.” Well, I’m glad that’s cleared up.
There will be a new M5 introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Early reports suggest it will boast in excess of 600 horsepower and possess all-wheel drive. However, it will also likely have a price tag at least $25,000 above that of the $80,900 M550i. So, while the gear heads who live and die by performance stat minutia might proclaim the M550i a mere pretender, those who can actually afford one will find the newest member of M Performance in possession of a full menu of skills.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: The M550i, fast and furious it might be — BMW claiming just four seconds to blast from rest to 100 km/h — is not an ideal track weapon. This is not to say you can’t, just that you probably won’t find the experience overly rewarding. All the go-fast bits, mechanical and otherwise, the all-wheel drivetrain, the comfort and convenience features and the stuff that keeps you safe and out of harm’s way add up. As in 2,058 kilograms of Bavarian beef and a front/rear weight bias of approximately 55/45 per cent. That’s a lot of mass to try to change direction in a hurry.
It’s not as though the M550i wallows. Oh, mercy, no! Set the car up in Sport or Sport+ mode and barrel onto a highway onramp or take on a twisting bit of two-lane and it corners flatter than a pancake. Your nerve will probably give out before the sedan’s grip does.
Here are a few things to consider if going out for a hoon. First, the “intelligent” xDrive AWD system splits drive power between all four wheels as the situation demands, with a rearwheel bias. Second, the Adaptive M Sport suspension lowers ride height by 10 millimetres. Third, if you decide to bail, the M Sport brakes — with blue metallic brake calipers — offer prodigious stopping power. Brake feel and steering feel are both excellent. And in Sport+ the sound emanating from the exhaust is glorious. It has a deep throaty timbre (think operatic baritone) that you can listen to all day, though the Harman Kardon sound system is a perfectly acceptable substitute.
The M Performance configuration of the eight-speed transmission’s shift modes has been tailored for even faster engagement across the V8’s entire rev range.
In Sport mode, the upshifts are lightning quick, if occasionally abrupt, and downshifts are accompanied by a throttle blip. Comfort and Eco Pro modes progressively turn down the car’s aggressiveness to the point it stashes away its Superman garb and becomes Clark Kent, a mild mannered sedan around town.
There’s a bunch of subtle changes to the M550i, courtesy of an M aerodynamic kit, that add a bit more muscularity to the pleasantly styled but otherwise ordinary looking 5 Series.
Moving to the cabin, additional elements include illuminated door sills bearing the “M550i xDrive” inscription. Standard sport seats are upholstered in black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching (the tester was fitted with optional black/ivory Nappa leather, a nice upgrade that brightens the interior environment immensely), the latest version of the M sports steering wheel, M-design floor mats and aluminum pedals.
Considering how many European test vehicles are loaded to the hilt, I believe BMW Canada shows remarkable restraint in keeping the M550i’s option list to just slightly under $9,000, meaning the tester rings in at $89,650 (before taxes and other money grabs).
There’s plenty of room for the front occupants, though taller back-seat passengers might find knee room compromised if those up front are equally tall. Instrumentation is clear and bright, and includes a head-up display.
The list of standard modern conveniences is quite comprehensive, which makes the tester’s options mostly superfluous. For instance, the $6,500 Premium package adds such fripperies as ventilated and massaging front seats, soft-close doors and ceramic controls for the iDrive and audio buttons (really?) along with the more useful surround-view camera and satellite radio. And, if you’re a cautious driver, the $1,500 Advance Driver Assistance package could be worth the coin, adding Driving Assistant Plus, steering and lane control, evasion assist, front cross-traffic alert, and active cruise control.
Other than the fact BMW should put the M550i xDrive on a diet, the mid-size performance sedan is a lot of car and a lot of fun. It may not be track-worthy, but definitely capable of traversing twisting roads through hill and dale with great enthusiasm and comfort. And, unlike the upcoming M5, you don’t have to wait for one.