New BMW M550i xDrive Beats The Outgoing M5 Hands Down

Introduced with a bang last week, the BMW 5-Series G30 promises to be the most exciting yet.

However, while businessmen are waiting for the car to hit dealerships, enthusiasts go all-in when it comes to the range-topping model, the M5, but some probably haven’t noticed that they will soon be able to order a version that leaves the current M5 in the shadow – the M550i xDrive.

Powered by a 4.4-liter V8 biturbo engine that is capable of pushing no less than 456 horsepower (462 PS) and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm) of torque to all four wheels, the M550i might not be as powerful as the M5 F10 and its 552 HP (552 PS) and 502 lb-ft (680 Nm) of torque, but it can sure beat it in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) drag race.

According to BMW‘s official numbers, it needs just 4.0 seconds to cover the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint, compared to the current M5’s 4.3 seconds, and it will do this while burning an average of 8.9 lt/100 km (26.43 mpg US). Well, the new car’s all-wheel drive surely gives it a big advantage off the line – and the next M5 will also channel power to all four wheels.

There is a catch, however: you can’t have it just yet, as it will become available in March. Good things come to those who wait.