Borrowing the engine from M850i could increase power by up to 68 horsepower
You’ll see a significant power gap between M550ixDrive and M5 in non-Competition. The former has 455 horsepower and 480 pounds-feet (650 Newton meters) of torque, while the latter comes in standard flavors with 600 hp (553 lb-ft) and 750 Nm. BMW is expected to address this issue next spring when it launches the 2020MYM550i xDrive, which will feature the same specification of the biturbo-4.4-liter V8 that was featured in the M850i xDrive.
Sources close to Munich told BLOG that the warm model of the 5 Series could be increased to 523 horsepower to compete with the 8 Series. This would be possible by using the N63 engine. Although the report does not mention torque, we remind you that the M850i has 553lb-ft (750Nm) available. The M550ixDrive will be faster than the current model, as it can go from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and then hit a electronically limited 155 mph (250 km/h).
The report states that all 50i-badged BMWs will soon get the N63 engine. However, the HTML5xDrive50i along with the equivalent X6/X7 models will receive the M50i badges and share the same 523-hp engine. If you don’t want to rush for the recently released X5 xDrive50i model, it might be a good idea to wait until the X5 m50i comes out. It may also come out towards the end next year, when the M550i will be available.
BMW has had issues with the M550i xDrive Europe. The company has to modify it to be ready for the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. The German configurator does not list the model as it can only be ordered the M550d. To make the gasoline-powered version of the sedan WLTP-friendly, engineers will need to install an Otto particle filter.