Hot BMW M550d xDrive won't be coming to the UK
The quad-turbo, 395bhp M550d diesel won't sell in sufficient numbers to justify it being brought here, according to BMW spokesperson
BMW piqued the interest of enthusiasts when it announced there would be a quad-turbo, four-wheel drive diesel version of the latest 5 Series. Now, however, it seems that the M550d won't be heading to the UK.
Announced late last month, BMW claims the M550d features the world’s most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine, producing 395bhp and sprinting from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds. Despite being announced for vaious markets including Europe and the US, it seems that (like the petrol M550i) there isn't enough predicted demand to justify BMW converting the car to right-hand drive.
That's despite initial enthusiasm from BMW bosses, who told us it would be coming to the UK previously. A spokesperson told Auto Express that there's a chance the M550d may make its way over here later, although that's not likely to be for a few years yet.
The M550d will be available elsewhere as a saloon or Touring estate, featuring a new 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine with four M Performance TwinPower turbos. BMW says the M550d produces 450Nm of torque from 1,000rpm, with peak torque of 760Nm available at 2,000rpm. Every car comes with an eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission as standard, as well as a rear-biased intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Despite all that power and torque, BMW says the new M550d saloon emits only 154g/km while returning 39.9mpg. The Touring is slightly less economical, posting figures of 163g/km and 37.9mpg.
The use of a fourth turbocharger “further optimises the engine’s efficiency and performance characteristics,” according to BMW. The previous-generation tri-turbo M550d (also not available in the UK) featured a similar setup, but in the new car two small turbos replace the single large turbo for increased boost pressure.
All cars get BMW’s M aerodynamic package, M sports suspension lowered by 10mm, Integral Active Steering and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. Also included is a set of dark chrome M Performance exhausts and blue metallic M Sport brake callipers, while Cerium Grey trim covers everything from the door mirrors to he radiator grille. BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension Professional system also features.
Inside it’s business as usual, with a leather M Sport steering wheel and BMW Connected, which includes live sat-nav updates and online services. This is in addition to the various assistance systems, which BMW says takes the 5 Series “one step further towards automated driving”. Leather or Alcantara sports seats feature on the options list.
Would you buy a diesel BMW 5 Series with four turbos if you could? Let us know below...
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