Outstanding engine and autobox
BMW engines are arguably some of the world’s best, and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo DOHC V8 powering my 550i GT tester is a fine example on which to base this assertion. It’s a remarkably well-balanced, operationally refined and silky smooth engine that’s also fiercely powerful and instantly responsive.
Along with 400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm, 450 pound-feet of torque is on-tap just off idle at 1,750 rpm. Sending such a devastating wall of torque through an 8-speed transmission to all four wheels launches the 550i GT xDrive with ferocity that doesn’t abate as the cogs slot one after the other.
Not only is this vehicle astonishingly quick off the line, it is relentless in the passing lane due in part to twin spools force-feeding eight ravenous cylinders beating at their peak.
During normal driving, shift changes are generally imperceptible. Under full acceleration they occur with lightening speed, eliminating head bobbing and any loss of momentum. Gears can be shifted manually via BMW’s electronic shift lever. Surprisingly, shift paddles are not available; nonetheless, the 550i GT xDrive encompasses many other hi-tech performance features.
Integral Active Steering and more
BMW’s Integral Active Steering varies the steering angle of the rear wheels ever so slightly to augment cornering capabilities and high speed lane change operations. This is one of those features that isn’t readily detected; what is obvious though is the GT’s overt stability and composure when pushed into a corner or faced with emergency maneuvers.
I had the opportunity to track test the 550i GT xDrive late last year, and was delighted by the tenacity and grit it exhibited while clawing its way through the slalom and compound corners at speeds counter-intuitive to vehicles of this size and substance.
BMW engines are arguably some of the world’s best, and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo DOHC V8 powering my 550i GT tester is a fine example on which to base this assertion. It’s a remarkably well-balanced, operationally refined and silky smooth engine that’s also fiercely powerful and instantly responsive.
Along with 400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm, 450 pound-feet of torque is on-tap just off idle at 1,750 rpm. Sending such a devastating wall of torque through an 8-speed transmission to all four wheels launches the 550i GT xDrive with ferocity that doesn’t abate as the cogs slot one after the other.
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| The 4.4-litre twin-turbo DOHC V8 that's powering the 550i GT produces 400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Not only is this vehicle astonishingly quick off the line, it is relentless in the passing lane due in part to twin spools force-feeding eight ravenous cylinders beating at their peak.
During normal driving, shift changes are generally imperceptible. Under full acceleration they occur with lightening speed, eliminating head bobbing and any loss of momentum. Gears can be shifted manually via BMW’s electronic shift lever. Surprisingly, shift paddles are not available; nonetheless, the 550i GT xDrive encompasses many other hi-tech performance features.
Integral Active Steering and more
BMW’s Integral Active Steering varies the steering angle of the rear wheels ever so slightly to augment cornering capabilities and high speed lane change operations. This is one of those features that isn’t readily detected; what is obvious though is the GT’s overt stability and composure when pushed into a corner or faced with emergency maneuvers.
I had the opportunity to track test the 550i GT xDrive late last year, and was delighted by the tenacity and grit it exhibited while clawing its way through the slalom and compound corners at speeds counter-intuitive to vehicles of this size and substance.
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| My tester was also equipped with Adaptive Drive, which offers several driver-selectable settings ranging from Comfort to Sport+. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |