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Tested: BMW M550d Touring
DIESEL WAR: THE SLEEPER
by Alessandro Marrone
Photo credits: Enzo Rachelli
“Sleeper” (dormant) is an English term used to define something that despite seeming so quiet and peaceful, is instead capable of unleashing a tremendous dose of adrenaline. In the war on fuel economy, time was never more conducive for talking about diesel cars, and since only a handful of them are able to get our attention, I spent three days in company of a really special estate. The BMW M550d Touring is the most interesting model of the Bavarian company to dispose of the only diesel engine “directly sponsored” by the M department of BMW; the same equips the saloon version and also the X5 and the X6 M50d. What’s so special? This 3.0cc 6-cylinder is the only engine in the world (for road use and with a big production) to have not one, not two, but three turbos. That’s why as soon as our friend Gabriele Giusto from “Dream Car” dealership contacted me for a test drive, I did not miss this, useful to reflect and understand if we are facing the future, in spite of the various M5 & company, or if the coexistence of a diesel engine, albeit with sports car numbers, and the pleasure of driving, it is still a distant mirage.
The question to which I will have to answer at the end of my test is not so obvious. I will be in front of a large wagon of 2 tons, an after all medium-sized engine (a 3.0cc), but thanks to its three turbos can ground on the four wheels, yep it’s all-wheel drive, 381 hp and a frightening torque of 740 Nm. These figures worthy of a sports car and not at all far from the angry sisters that after the “M” badge and a simple number do not have the fateful “d” letter, to inform those who are behind that fuel economy is your priority, sort of.
Arrived at the showroom in the early afternoon, Gabriele welcomed me with his usual smile, making me visit his dealership where you can find Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Nissan GTR of all sorts, always in impeccable conditions. The “M” is ready, with those 20″ wheels and the ” Alpineweiss “pastel white shape making it even bigger and seemingly cumbersome. After having signed the classic documents for insurance, etc, I get on board, greeted by a very comfortable leather interior further refined by the interior comfort package, which offers an endless series of adjustments. After fixing the rearview mirrors, turned off the tv screen and air conditioning, I make sure to be in the “Comfort” mode and leave, facing the first kilometers of city driving.
Came out from the city center, where I can only appreciate the soundproofing, the overall relaxing ride and the 8-speed automatic gearbox, I got a few meters of free road and so I decide to start testing the potential of this triturbo diesel. Without putting in “Sport”, the car downshifts where necessary, without going to call in cause that infinite engine torque available and the quietness of the engine is noticeable even when the line of the tachometer rises quickly. The first impression is to sit behind the wheel of an M5, only the word “diesel” near the fuel indicator and the lack of a full-bodied sound when you push the throttle, remind you that this time is different… This 3.0 is capable of great things, but we must not limit comments on performance and responsiveness of this unique engineering masterpiece. Anyone who buys a 5 Series, especially the Touring version, wants and needs space for occupants and luggage, and thanks to an almost endless gadgets list, you’re going to bless your wife while waiting for her out of the hairdresser, taking the opportunity to become friend with radio, sat-nav, TV, telephone connectivity and infotainment.
The second day, heading forty kilometers away from Savona for the photo shoot, I walk a few kilometers of motorway and appreciate a soft ride that has nothing to envy to emblazoned grand tourers. Safely cruising in seventh gear, just a little pressure on the gas pedal and the M550d leaps forward. Those 740 Nm of torque… I love torque. In “Sport” the throttle becomes more responsive, the steering wheel tighter and the gearbox faster, in “Sport +” traction controls are switched off, but certainly you will not want to put 2 tons of BMW sideways between the corners of some mountain pass. I leave the motorway and, accompanied by the navigation system, I reach the photographer. The M550d Touring is damn photogenic and with the white dress does not give up to turn a few heads too. It seems absurd to say that, but as soon as you turn off and get out of it, you already want to come back on board to grind more kilometers. And the consumption? It is not yet time, read on.
Here a meticulous evaluation is required, we can’t be overwhelmed by feelings, so I start to take some notes and in the meantime, while the photographer takes a picture after another, I start to lap around the “M” and I observe it from all angles. More beautiful and curvy of a 5 Series sedan, is not comparable to a proper M, and doesn’t want that neither, but it costs less, it is fast and could be an equally good car for your 365 days of the year. Inside there is everything and even more, as if you would pick every optional from the online configurator when ordering. I keep thinking about its numbers echoing in my head as a summer hit: 381 horsepower, 740 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm and three, I mean 3 turbos! It takes just a little less than 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 and it’s not scary at all, thanks to the four-wheel drive so that will not be useful only during your winter holidays. But who is going to choose an M550d? A random buyer or one that will travel a lot of kilometers? It is a wise choice or out of mind, like those crazy guys who thought to put a similar engine in a car for the family? The more the hours pass, the more I like it. Sure, I’m the kind of guy who feel at ease in a car that cracks you a couple of vertebrae at the first pothole, but I do not dislike such a lot of technology and comfort, definitely more appropriate for going to work and in vacation. Also because when you have a look to the fuel gauge (here we are, this is the ultimate test), you realize that the indicator seems stagnated where it was. Actually, in this case, you are the one able to decide how much you are going to consume: exploiting its potential and it will drink as an Irishman, drive it sensibly and you feel like you have a small 1.9 TDI (ahem …), without emissions decoy from the factory, always able, at your command, to unleash that wonderful and amazing torque.
To make it short and not bore you further with my declaration of love for so much power reserves, the third and last day, I came back to the dealership conscious of being in front of the famous exception that proves the rule: a diesel estate able to eat three quarters of petrol cars (all hot-hatches are called into question). And this specific model on sale at “Dream Car” costs 50% less than the one you could be able to order brand new. I treated well my back and vertebrae and now I am ready to crush them again with the next test that awaits me in a couple of days.
BMW M550d Xdrive Touring (2011-)
Layout – front engined, all wheel drive
Engine – 6 cylinder 2968cc – tri-turbo
Transmission – 8-speed automatic gearbox
Power – 381 hp @ 4000 rpm
740 Nm @ 2000-3000 rpm
Weight – 1990 kg
Acceleration – 4.9 sec.
Top Speed – 249 kph (limit.)
Price – from 92.000 €
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