If you try to make a formula for the ultimate car that could check all possible boxes, from luxury to space, speed, maneuverability, you’ll definitely and up with something as Audi RS6, Mercedes E63 AMG T-Modell or Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. Lavishly luxurious, spacious enough to swallow whole families with their luggage, incredibly fast on the highways and extremely serious in the corners. BMW doesn’t have a proper counter offer, but something interesting it does have. Introduced with the previous generation and finally arriving with a new one, 2018 BMW M550d xDrive Touring.
FIRST OF ALL
This is M Performance model, not pure M one. It can’t rival RS, AMG 63 or V, but it can S, AMG E43 or V Sport. Plus interestingly, BMW offer diesel model touched by M performance, which does make it distinctive between petrol-powered rivals.
For around $80k price, you’ll get a piece of the M flavor, but not all, as that commands magic six-figure numbers, but anyway, the hottest diesel engine in the world is definitely yours.
2018 BMW M550d XDrive Touring Performance
This is “the” diesel that you can actually crave for. The 3.0-liter I6 doesn’t sound so special, but take usual twin-turbocharged moniker and multiply it by two. Yes, this is a quad-turbocharged thing as it has four turbochargers, one more added compared to the previous generation. That amount of stuff acting as engine feeders guarantee extremely wide powerband, and indeed car pulls ferociously from as low as 1,000 rpm and spins decently high for a diesel engine, while variable turbine geometry is used to diminish the negative effects of turbo lag.
Power output is at 400 hp and 560 lb-ft of twist (760 Nm), which is 19 hp higher from the previous generation, more than S6 Avant and same as E43 AMG T-Modell. 0-60 mph sprint is done in 4.6 seconds, which is very similar to mentioned rivals, but the tremendous amount of peak torque and fuel efficiency of astonishing 39 mpg combined (6 l/100 km) is far above.
| 2018 BMW M550d XDrive Touring | |
| Dimensions And Weight | |
| Wheelbase | N/A |
| Length | N/A |
| Height | N/A |
| Width | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
| Engine And Transmission | |
| Engine type | 3.0-liter I6 |
| Displacement | 3.0-liter |
| Power/torque | 400 hp/560 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | 4.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 155mph |
| PRICE RANGE: $80k |
|
| Competitors:doesn’t have any direct competitors | |
M PERFORMANCE TOUCH
It reflects itself in many areas. On the outside in blue brake calipers under special two-spoke 19-inch alloys, in Cerium Gray for mirror housing, side intake accents, and grille surround, in gloss black grille slats and slightly larger and reshaped exhaust outlets.
On the inside, you have M steering wheel and pedals, while you can go with special trims and seat upholstery. It’s not just about the looks, as you have xDrive or BMW’s AWD preferring rear axle, a suspension is tuned for more aggressiveness, the whole car is lowered by 0.4 inches (10 mm) and 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission shifts are quicker while also being more eager with downshifts.
IN CONCLUSION
2018 BMW M550d xDrive Touring actually doesn’t have any direct competitors. Cadillac CTS V-Sport comes only as a sedan, S6 Avant, and E43 AMG T-Modell are only petrol powered, and their top diesel offer within regular versions fall far short of this BMW in power and everything else, while Volvo V90 is not even worth of mentioning for this occasion. In conclusion, this is the only diesel-powered estate wagon, residing in executive class, that offers that special touch on the back roads, and if preservation of wallet thickness at the gas station is your thing, you don’t have anywhere else to go.
