2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping

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Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, BMW, Diesel



Even though we drove it extensively last month, BMW officially took the wraps off of the 2012 BMW M550d xDrive at the Geneva Motor Show. The M-tuned five-passenger sedan continues to put a smile on our face even as it causes yet another salty tear to drip down our cheek.

We grin because BMW has dropped a tri-turbo (yes, three turbochargers) 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine under hood. With a lot of boost, the N57S engine is rated at 376 horsepower and an astounding 546 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, the 5 Series will crack the 60-mile-per-hour benchmark in 4.7 seconds and run to an unrestricted 185 mph top speed (BMW electronically caps it at 155 mph). Permanent all-wheel drive, in the form of BMW's xDrive, ensures the torque shreds all four tires equally. The surefooted driveline also makes the 37-mile-per-gallon oil-burning sedan the perfect all-weather friend.

Why are we sobbing? As of today, BMW has no plans to offer this magnificent machine to the North American marketplace. To read more, check out our press release after the jump and don't miss our live gallery from the floor in Geneva.Continue reading 2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping

2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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