BMW 550i Touring (F11) was the most powerful regular version of the sixth-generation 5 Series Touring and one of the fastest luxury estate cars of its era. The F11 generation entered the market in 2010, combining the more elegant design language, advanced electronics and high level of refinement of the F10 Sedan with the traditional practicality of a BMW Touring. The 550i added a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, transforming the large estate into a car capable of combining everyday versatility with performance approaching sports-car territory.
The sixth-generation 5 Series Touring
BMW introduced the F11 in 2010 as the fourth generation of the 5 Series Touring. Compared with its E61 predecessor, the new model was longer and featured a significantly extended wheelbase. Its styling also became more restrained and classical, following the direction established by the F10 Sedan. A long bonnet, short overhangs and stretched side profile emphasised the traditional rear-wheel-drive proportions of a BMW.
With the F11, BMW sought to combine practicality with a distinctly sporting appearance rather than simply creating a sedan with a larger luggage compartment. Its sloping roofline, pronounced shoulder line and broad rear section gave the Touring a low and dynamic appearance, despite offering more passenger and luggage space than its predecessor.
From 560 to 1,670 litres of versatility
One of the defining features of the F11 was its flexible luggage compartment. In its normal configuration it offered 560 litres of capacity, increasing to 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded. The rear seat was divided in a 40:20:40 arrangement and the backrest angle could also be adjusted, allowing additional luggage space to be created without folding the seats completely.
As with other BMW Touring models, the rear window could be opened independently of the complete tailgate, making it easy to load smaller objects in confined spaces. Pneumatic rear suspension with automatic self-levelling was fitted as standard, maintaining a consistent ride height even when the car was carrying a heavy load.
550i – the V8 flagship of the Touring range
The 550i Touring joined the F11 range in the autumn of 2011 and became its most powerful regular model. Under the bonnet was BMW’s N63 4.4-litre V8, with its two turbochargers positioned between the cylinder banks. This so-called hot-V arrangement shortened the path travelled by the exhaust gases between the exhaust valves and turbochargers and helped improve engine response.
In its original specification, the 550i Touring produced 300 kW or 407 hp and 600 Nm of torque. Maximum torque was available from low engine speeds, giving the car a very different character from earlier naturally aspirated BMW V8 models. Strong acceleration was available immediately without the need to rev the engine hard.
0–100 km/h in 5.1 seconds
The 550i Touring was equipped as standard with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The wide range of ratios allowed strong acceleration to be combined with lower engine speeds during motorway cruising and suited the broad torque delivery of the twin-turbocharged V8 particularly well.
Despite its large body and extensive luxury equipment, the 407 hp 550i Touring accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. Maximum speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h. These figures placed the practical five-door Touring on a similar performance level to many contemporary sports cars.
Performance without the compromises of an M model
The purpose of the 550i Touring was not to serve as an M5 Touring, but to provide very high performance while retaining the comfort and restrained appearance of a regular 5 Series. No factory-produced F11 M5 Touring was offered, making the 550i the most powerful conventional petrol-engined Touring of the generation.
Optional chassis technology included Adaptive Drive, electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering. The latter also steered the rear wheels through a small angle, improving manoeuvrability at low speeds and stability at higher speeds. This allowed the 550i to operate as both a refined long-distance car and an exceptionally fast estate when required.
Even more power from 2013
For the 2013 5 Series model update, the 550i Touring received a revised version of the 4.4-litre V8. Among the changes was the addition of fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control, while output increased to 330 kW or 450 hp. Maximum torque rose to 650 Nm.
The update made the 550i Touring even more powerful while preserving the same underlying concept: a spacious, luxurious and practical estate with its considerable performance hidden beneath the relatively discreet body of a 5 Series. This combination makes the 550i one of the most distinctive versions of the F11 generation.
Model in the collection
The 1:43-scale BMW 550i Touring (F11) in my collection was produced by Schuco as an official BMW dealer model. It represents the early version of the F11 550i Touring powered by the 407 hp 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8.
The Schuco model therefore represents the original V8 flagship of the F11 range before the 2013 model update increased the output of the 550i to 450 hp.
Technical data
F11 Touring introduced: 2010
550i Touring in the model range: from 2011
Production location: Dingolfing, Germany
Body style: five-door Touring
Engine: N63 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine
Displacement: 4,395 cc
Power output: 300 kW / 407 hp
Torque: 600 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Steptronic automatic
Drive: rear-wheel drive
0–100 km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Luggage capacity: 560–1,670 litres
Later update: 330 kW / 450 hp and 650 Nm from 2013
Special feature: the most powerful regular petrol-engined Touring and V8 flagship of the F11 generation
Photo of the real car. Photo: nakhon100 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0