Acceleration Test: 462 HP BMW M550i Does 0 to 50 kph in 1.6 Seconds

We've seen plenty of other machines that can do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. But this is an executive sedan, not a hot hatch. What's more being able to reach 50 km/h, the legal speed limit in most urban areas, in just 1.6 second,s is absurd.

Audi is about to downsize the S6 to a V6 engine, and Mercedes-AMG has already done it with the E43. Both are now going to take a pounding from the M550i, which has the only V8 in the segment. Seriously, a Porsche Panamera 4S costing €115,000 or more is a little slower in the standard sprint.

The twin-turbo 4.4-liter is sure to be a tuner's delight. But in the stock format, it makes a healthy 462 PS (455 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. Backed up by an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear biased all-wheel drive system, it's supposed to do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds. In this independent test, it only managed 4.2 seconds, but that's still an admirable result that would give F10 M5 owners nightmares.

And what about the styling? We think that it looks lower and angrier than an S6, but more refined and classy than an E43 AMG model. The M Sport package and standard big wheels do the trick, while the interior is covered in the usual Alcantara seen inside M Performance creations. Unique interior touches include aluminum pedals, model-specific digital instruments and special M550i door sills.

The 5 Series is loaded with tech and the M550i plays by the rules. Thus, the iDrive 6.0 system packs Gesture Control, Remote Parking and the latest in BMW’s autonomous driving technology.

Interested in the fuel consumption? You weird person, you. As usual, BMW tech is pretty good at the boring stuff too, as the M550i drinks just 6.6 l/100km at a steady speed of 90 km/h and averages about 11 l/100km over the first 3km after a cold start, which is about the same as a Golf GTI.