Updated BMW 5-Series Brings a 523bhp M550i And Much Grille

The latest upgrades to the evergreen 5-series bring mild hybrid engine tech, improved driver assist systems and an M550i xDrive saloon for the UK
Updated BMW 5-Series Brings a 523bhp M550i And Much Grille

BMW has weighed anchor on the new, updated 5-series, giving us our first look at its revised styling and list of upgraded tech features.

The middleweight execu-barge has plenty of grille as you’d expect, with slightly revised styling not straying too far from the identifiable BMW spectrum but finding a few more acute angles and sharp points than we’re used to on the 5er.

Updated BMW 5-Series Brings a 523bhp M550i And Much Grille

The larger changes come within, though, with news that every model except the plug-in hybrid and the – we suspect – rather epic M550i xDrive will use 48v electrics and mild hybrid drive, extending the four- and six-cylinder engines’ stop-start capabilities for a miles per gallon boost.

A starter-generator connected to a second battery allows much more energy from braking to be recovered and redeployed to assist internal combustion at low engine speeds. In everyday plodding it should make for a tangible efficiency improvement.

Updated BMW 5-Series Brings a 523bhp M550i And Much Grille

The system will debut on a range of engines from the 181bhp 520i and 187bhp 520d to the 282bhp 530d and 288bhp 530e, with the more potent plug-in hybrid – which doesn’t exactly need an additional hybrid system – badged 545e xDrive. Topping the pile is an M550i xDrive, which musters 523bhp and will explode to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Still need that M5?

There’s a Touring variant that will share every powertrain other than the plug-in 545e and M550i, but it does gain a 540i option with 328bhp. Every engine is linked only to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but at least the loss of the manual comes with the compensation of superior waftability, which arguably better suits the latest Five anyway.

Updated BMW 5-Series Brings a 523bhp M550i And Much Grille

Prices for the new car range from £37,480 for the impressively-spec’d 520i SE to £67,595 for the mighty M550i xDrive. The Touring adds £2250 for a like-for-like spec. There’s a long list of options from the M Sport Pro package at £2495 to the Technology Plus package for anything up to £7495 courtesy of a Bowers & Wilkins stereo upgrade.

Inside the cabin is a larger 12.3-inch screen by default; it was previously 10.25 inches. A new operating system should be faster and more capable and there’s an uprated suite of cameras and radar. The headlights can now be spec’d as BMW’s latest Laserlight LED items, too, for maximum night-busting.

A 1000-unit M Sport Edition model will help launch the car with special metallic paint and 20-inch Air Performance wheels. Two colours; Donington Grey and Tanzanite Blue, are unique to the special edition. It goes on sale in July.

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Comments

Anonymous

Why isn’t the 523bhp M550i going to be available with the Touring body style this time like it was before, and will only be available as a saloon?

05/27/2020 - 12:39 |
14 | 0
Łukasz

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Seeiously, that would have been my next car to replace my M5. Now that I have a family to carry around I’ve been looking for something with a bit more room. Avant RS4/RS6 were my first choices but if BMW made M550i in estate I would be all over it.

05/27/2020 - 14:58 |
10 | 0
That_1_Guy

it doesnt matter if the grille is big, it’s well proportioned to the car and that’s what matters.

05/27/2020 - 21:49 |
10 | 0

it looks hot

06/04/2020 - 03:38 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The M550i ist the ultimate sleeper, I love it! Hopefully they will eventually make a touring.

05/27/2020 - 22:21 |
2 | 0
DL🏁

M550i touring would be the dream

They see how popular E63 estate and RS6 are, so why do they refuse to sell M550i touring or even M5 touring?

05/28/2020 - 08:11 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

What have they done to mah boy!! It was one of the last remaining good looking bmws and they ruined it with a shity giand grill and ugly generic lights!

05/28/2020 - 16:36 |
0 | 0
Dante Verna

That is a seriously good looking wagon, it would be even cooler to see an M version at some point.

05/28/2020 - 22:17 |
2 | 0