BMW expands 5 Series range with hi-po M550i

BMW has announced an expansion of its 5 Series large luxury car range with an M-fettled M550i xDrive model to arrive in Australian showrooms from the first quarter of next year.

It will be available in two variants, opening with the Pure at $134,900 plus on-road costs – making it more affordable than the $142,900 540i – and in standard M550i guise, which will follow in the second quarter priced from $149,900.

While the M5 Competition has previously been the only 5 Series variant with V8 power, both M550i versions pack a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged bent eight producing 390kW/750Nm, teamed to an eight-speed automatic transmission and driving all four wheels through BMW’s xDrive rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

Completing the sprint from standstill to 100km/h takes just 3.8 seconds, while average combined fuel consumption is rated at 10.6 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions at 243 grams per kilometre.

Both come with a number of performance enhancements courtesy of BMW’s M division, starting with 20-inch M light alloy wheels, M Sport brakes, adaptive M suspension, M aerodynamics package, M Sport differential, sports seats with heating and lumbar support, and a number of exterior trim highlights finished in Cerium Grey.

Other standard kit on the Pure includes Fine Wood trim, BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, DAB+ digital radio, a head-up display, Driving Assistant Plus, Harman Kardon surround sound system, Dakota leather upholstery, M leather steering wheel, Connected Package Professional with Apple CarPlay, four-zone automatic climate control, adaptive LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, Comfort Access and an automatic tailgate.

Standard safety features include Active protection, Driving Assistant Plus, Parking Assistant Plus, auto-dipping interior and door mirrors and high-beam assist.

Stepping up to the regular M550i adds adaptive M Suspension Professional which bundles active anti-roll bars and rear-wheel steering, BMW Laserlight headlights, soft-close doors, leather-clad BMW Individual instrument panel, Ambient Air with air ionisation, a sunroof and metallic paintwork.

The latter two features can be specified on the Pure, with the sunroof adding $3000 and metallic paint an extra $2000.

Option packs for the M550i include the $1700 Innovations package which bundles the BMW display key, remote control parking and gesture control, and the $7500 Indulgence package which includes rear-seat entertainment, TV function and massage function for the front seats.

With two months left in 2019, BMW has managed 904 sales of the 5 Series, up 38.7 per cent on the 652 units recorded to the same point last year.

This year’s performance is enough for clear second place in the premium large car segment behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1017).

2019 BMW 5 Series pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs