2011 BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo

Press release

In its character and personality, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is a highly innovative synthesis of superior motoring comfort and modern versatility. It combines the essential features of a Prestige Sedan, a modern Sports Activity Vehicle and a classic Gran Turismo with one another in a truly unique manner.

Now the driving experience offered by this one-of-a-kind vehicle is being further enriched by additional highlights: For the first time the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is available with BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo providing permanent, electronically masterminded all-wheel drive with exactly the right distribution of drive power between the front and rear wheels under all driving conditions.

The BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo is powered by a V8 featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and High Precision Injection. Displacing 4.4 litres, this eight-cylinder with its turbocharger and catalytic converters positioned in compact arrangement in the V-section between the two rows of cylinders develops maximum output of 300 kW/407 hp all the way from 5,500 – 6,400 rpm as well as peak torque of 600 Newton-metres/442 lb-ft maintained consistently between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. In its power and performance characteristics, the engine stands out in particular through its ongoing surge of power starting from low engine speeds and converted into superior driving dynamics even more precisely by the
xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

The BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo is furthermore the first model to combine BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive with an outstandingly dynamic, smooth, comfortable and highly efficient eight-speed automatic transmission.

Intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology promotes both traction and driving dynamics in one

Introducing the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo, Germany’s leading manufacturer of premium cars is consistently expanding its range of all-wheeldrive models. The sophisticated all-wheel-drive system originally conceived for the BMW X models and then also introduced in the BMW 5 and the BMW 3 Series, consistently enhanced in an ongoing process to an ever-increasing standard, offers a level of precision in control and management quite unique against the competition. Clearly, this serves to optimise not only traction on rough surfaces, but also driving dynamics on the road.

Starting last year, BMW xDrive has also been available in the BMW 7 Series.

The system offers unique qualities such as intelligent all-wheel drive by spreading drive power through a power divider with an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch as required and in precise dosage to the axle and wheels with optimum grip on the road in each situation. As a result, xDrive enhances driving stability also in dynamic bends by recognising even the slightest tendency to over- or understeer at an early point in time, taking appropriate counter-action right away.

Under normal driving conditions BMW xDrive spreads out drive power at a 40 : 60 ratio front-to-rear. With sensors consistently measuring the degree of slip on all wheels, the system is able to vary the distribution of drive power whenever necessary within fractions of a second. And unlike a conventional all-wheel-drive system, BMW xDrive also looks ahead, not just responding once a wheel has started to spin. This stabilises the car even before the driver recognises any need for action.

This precise and fast control system gives the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo very safe and incomparably superior driving behaviour at all times, even in the most demanding situation. At the same time the dynamic configuration of xDrive ensures that the all-wheel-drive model retains that neutral behaviour in bends with supreme tracking stability so typical of a BMW. In bends more drive power is fed to the rear wheels in order to make the vehicle even more agile and avoid any understeer. In this process xDrive
follows the steering angle determined by the driver, shifting the distribution of drive power to the rear axle even under stable driving conditions in a bend, with up to 80 per cent of the drive power going to the rear wheels whenever necessary. Then, once the car has reached the end of the bend, xDrive will return to its basic setting in the interest of optimum traction.

BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo: variable power distribution, versatile interior

Now available with intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo offers an even more fascinating driving experience of sportiness and comfort combined in one. Variable power distribution gives the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo even greater supremacy under all kind of driving conditions, while the enhanced dynamic driving potential convincingly confirms the very special character and concept of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.

With its generous, luxurious and highly variable interior, as well as the elevated seating position for the driver and front passenger reminiscent of a BMW X Model, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is a genuine exception in the premium segment now becoming even more unique through the introduction of BMW xDrive.