Wednesday 25th September 2024

Hold that BMW M5 - there's a new 550e Touring

You couldn't get the old M550i as a wagon - but you can now get nearly 500hp from a hybridised straight-six...

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It can be hard to keep up with the permutations of the BMW lineup, though some variants are certainly more interesting than most. We’ll count the new 550e Touring as one of them: take the 489hp powertrain from the saloon (313hp, 3.0-litre straight six, 197hp electric motor), drop it into a handsome estate body, and Robert’s your father’s brother. With xDrive, it’ll reach 62mph in 4.4 seconds; thanks to the electrification (and a 19.4kWh battery), the 550 is officially capable of more than 250mpg. Even with the battery depleted, BMW’s stats suggest more than 30mpg is doable. 

Sure, a 550e won’t be like a six-cylinder M5 to drive. Or to look at (BMW hasn't released any official images, although it's safe to assume it'll look more like the also-new i5 xDrive40 Touring pictured below than the M5 above). This isn’t even technically an M Performance model, but rather the most powerful regular PHEV available. When PH reviewed the saloon, the ‘probably ranks highly among the best hybrids available at any price’ was caveated with some concerns about how the 5 Series handled its weight in extremis. It just wasn’t as exciting as might be hoped for from a near-500hp BMW saloon - but arguably those issues are less pressing in estate form, where the amount of ski equipment it can carry and whether it can reach the holiday home without stopping will be more important. With the Touring just announced, expect the 550e on sale in the UK soon. Hopefully it’ll coincide with the November introduction of new colours like Frozen Portimao Blue and Malachite Green Metallic II for the entire 5 Series range. 

Also coming that month for the UK is something called an M Technology Package for the M135 xDrive. More interesting than it sounds, too, because while you might cynically believe it brings a carbon fuel cap and tricolour-accented floor mats, the add-on introduces lighter aluminium anti-roll bars, additional chassis bracing and ‘particularly strong piston rods’ for the front dampers. All the sort of stuff that’s very hard to sell sexily, but usually well worth the outlay from a driving perspective. 

Additionally, the M Technology Package introduces a different tune for the steering and control systems, bigger brakes and forged alloy wheels. The really committed can even get track tyres on their 19s. BMW says the kit brings ‘significantly improved’ lap times as well as making a difference in everyday driving. Certainly one to try when the new 1 Series arrives in the UK. Perhaps by then we’ll be used to how it looks, too. 

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• 2024 BMW 550e xDrive M Sport Pro | PH Review
• Check out the new BMW M135 xDrive

[Julian Scott]

With a likely c£80k price tag, the 550e makes the base model Panamera look a very expensive option.

[bigyoungdave]

Interesting. I'm planning to make a used 340 x drive touring my next car. Which could bridge the gap nicely to one of these in a few years once depreciation has worked its magic (and if by then I need a bigger car for the growing sprogs). I would find the bloated weight less of an issue in this than the full fat M model

[CKY]

marksmith343 said:

The new 550e Touring is one such model.....all packaged in an attractive estate body.

Uhhhhh no.

[Harry_523]

^^^^^OK ROBOT^^^^

[daveco]

This will barely have any more room than the 340i equivalent.

Also with BMW getting a new designer, I can foresee the LCI model coming sooner and looking a lot better

[Crudeoink]

Can't seem to see any information on how heavy it is. I guess it will be around the 2300kg mark?

[andy43]

marksmith343 said:

Keeping track of the various options in the BMW lineup can be challenging, but some models stand out as particularly intriguing. The new 550e Touring is one such model: it features the 489hp powertrain from the sedan (comprising a 313hp, 3.0-liter straight-six and a 197hp electric motor), all packaged in an attractive estate body. With xDrive, it can accelerate to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds. Thanks to its electrification and a 19.4kWh battery, the 550e is officially rated for over 250mpg. Even when the battery is empty, BMW claims it can still achieve more than 30mpg.

Mark’s PH profile :

Hii everyone. I am Mark Smith, a content writer at Abhiwan Technology, a company specializing in game development, and Metaverse Gaming Development, and we are the best web development agency in Australia. Mark Smith is passionate about breaking down complex tech trends into engaging, reader-friendly content. With expertise in the gaming, metaverse, and web development industries, they craft articles that inform, inspire, and connect with diverse audiences.

Hmmm….does all look a bit automated.

[halo34]

andy43 said:

Mark’s PH profile :

Hii everyone. I am Mark Smith, a content writer at Abhiwan Technology, a company specializing in game development, and Metaverse Gaming Development, and we are the best web development agency in Australia. Mark Smith is passionate about breaking down complex tech trends into engaging, reader-friendly content. With expertise in the gaming, metaverse, and web development industries, they craft articles that inform, inspire, and connect with diverse audiences.

Hmmm….does all look a bit automated.

Metaverse, is anyone in there?? Its like being an expert in empty spaces surely.

Edited by halo34 on Wednesday 25th September 15:31

[James Junior]

Look much nicer than some of their other recent designs.

[Gruntled]

James Junior said:

Look much nicer than some of their other recent designs.

That may be the most incontrovertible statement ever

[AC43]

James Junior said:

Look much nicer than some of their other recent designs.

To steal from the "best diesel" thread, that's like saying "this tropical disease isn't as bad as the last one".

[Stick Legs]

[Wills2]

F11 is the best looking 5 series these days the e39 has lost its flavour for me.

[CharverDeeksWorth]

I really like all the new BMW designs when they are in black because it hides all the lines.

[SDK]

Stick Legs said:

If you're going to compare at least select all cars in the same colour ! The blue/green colour doesn't suit exec cars well.

[BikeSausage]

Matt black again……🙄

I was in Germany last week and saw many new 5 Tourings.

Whilst they are not among the worst BMW designs of recent years, they are not as svelte as previous incarnations.

Based on what I’ve seen, I would not be inclined to replace my B5 with a future Alpina version (whatever that may look like - a trim level perhaps, just like M?) if it were to be based on this model. It’s not a looker in my book.

[pb8g09]

I’m a paid up BMW serial owner. But the C63 touring in the other article would be where all my money would be going over anything with a BMW badge on in the current line up.

[Jules Henry]

Matt Black hides a multitude of sins, I think Andreas Preuninger commented about Black cars either hiding designers great work or hiding their bad work. I'm Currently running an F11 Touring, thinking about chopping it in for an early G31 540i touring before they got rid of all of the buttons & Switches

[Water Fairy]

Don't mind the 1 series hatch tbh. Bro has a new 128ti in Misano blue? and it makes for a very nice daily as far as I'm concerned.

The 550e touring looks ok to me as well. But that's comparing it to an iX.......................

[bluemason]

Stick Legs said:

Perfection