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The 2023 BMW M550i provides most offerings on the M5 without requiring an insane price. Explore below its specs, features, and other details.
If you desire the most powerful, boldest, and fastest trim possible from the BMW 5-Series, then you should opt for the high-performance variant the M5. That being said, the fact that it sits at the price range of over $100,000 is a bump for many customers. The next best alternative is to choose the BMW M550i trim that offers almost the same performance, power, and luxury as the M5, but for a part of the price. Discover below what you can get by getting a 2023 BMW M550i in the following.
An Overview of the 5-Series and M550i Trim
The luxury car 5-Series has been produced and marketed by German automaker BMW ever since 1972. It practically serves as the middle child of the manufacturer’s lineup by sitting between the compact 3-Series and the full-size 7-Series. Being one of the products from BMW, it is no surprise that the 5-Series provides an abundance of luxury and impressive comfort—even though the styling is not exactly the most desirable in its segment.
Currently, the 5-Series is in its 7th generation, which debuted in 2017. The BMW M550i trim made its debut a year later in 2018 along with the 530e hybrid and diesel-supported 540d. It features a 456-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain and receives a facelift in 2021.
Until now, the M550i is still available as the performance-oriented trim of the 5-Series lineup. The xDrive (BMW’s trademarked all-wheel-drive system) comes standard in this trim only and is available as an option for others.
2023 BMW M550i Power and Performance
The 2023 BMW M550i remains to be powered by a 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8, which it shares with the 5-Series high-performance variant M5. The only difference it the M550i’s engine generates 94 HP less than the M5 at 523 HP. However, both offer the same 533 lb-ft of torque. this makes the M550i to be a bit less of a powerful supercar compared to the other, even though the power is still commendable.
This engine is paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. It is available in the all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Redesigns and Technology Features
Compared to other BMW lineups, the 5-Series is rather a subdued one. It also applies to the M550i trim. Unlike other newer models, such as BMW 4-Series which receives extreme styling adjustments to look bolder, the 5-Series remains to be simple. It can be a great point for the enthusiasts who don’t adore the giant kidney grille that a lot of current BMW cars are sporting. Aside from that, it also has an unobtrusive matte chrome-accented perimeter around the grille and lower air vent, and neat LED headlights.
The 2023 BMW M550i offers an optional 20” double-spoke wheel that has a similar finish as the grille and optional paint color. The rear part of this luxury car is rather clean with matching styling of the rear trunk spoiler, taillights with black trim, and dual exhaust tips surrounded by the dark-toned diffuser.
Inside, the vehicle offers generous space as well. You get nearly 40” of headroom and over 41” of legroom in the front-row seats. At the back, it provides a spacious 37.5” of headroom and 36.5” of legroom. The size of the cargo area is also one of the strongest points of the M550i with 18.7 cu-ft—the roomiest compared to other alternatives in its segment.
The infotainment setup comes in the M550i is predicted to be similar to the prior model year with a 12.3” infotainment touchscreen display, a 12.3” digital gauge cluster, and a rotary knob located in the center console for control of the features. The user interface of the infotainment system may get an upgrade to the newest BMW iDrive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standards. Opting for the Executive package allows you to get gesture commands, a head-up display, wireless charging, and a power rear shade. Bumping up the price for several thousand bucks also gets you a premium Bowers And Wilkins Diamond audio setup.
There are plenty of driver assistance features available in the M550i. To name some, there are adaptive high-beam headlights, auto emergency braking, and forward-collision warning. However, purchasing the Driving Assistance Plus package will provide even more tech-advanced features.
Release Date and Price Estimation
There is no official announcement yet about when the 2023 BMW M550i and other trims in the lineup will go on sale. The price details haven’t been dropped as well, but for reference, the M550i trim last year is available starting from $77,795.