BMW announces powerful 5- and 6-Series AWD variants

BMW has announced two new models including an M Performance all-wheel-drive 5-Series wagon and an all-paw diesel version of its big 6-Series Gran Turismo four-door coupe.

The BMW M550d xDrive Touring will feature what BMW claims is the world’s most powerful production diesel engine.

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The 3.0-litre inline-six has a grand total of four turbochargers strapped to it to produce an imposing 294kW/760Nm which gives the wagon a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds and a frugal combined fuel consumption of around 6.5L/100kms.

The uber oil burner will send all that power to all four wheels via an 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

It will also feature active steering, an M aerodynamic package, M-sports suspension lowered by 10mm, sports brakes, and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels with mixed tyres.

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All-wheel-drive M Performance models have thus far been unavailable in Australia because they’re only built in left-hand drive and there wasn’t a demand for xDrive vehicles because of the lack of ice and snow.

However the M550d has a chance to make its way Down Under, with a BMW Australia spokesman telling Wheels magazine “This is changing as our passenger vehicles and systems become ever more powerful and dynamic, to a point where it is making sense to introduce M and M Performance vehicles with all-wheel drive systems.”

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This thinking could see the all-new 640d xDrive Gran Turismo arrive on the same boats to complement the three rear-wheel-drive petrol versions on sale here.

The 640d GT is also powered by 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine but with two fewer turbochargers and a slightly more subdued output of 235kW and 680Nm. Also coupled with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and xDrive four-wheel drive system it can reach 100km/h from a standing start in 5.3 seconds with combined fuel consumption of around 6.0L/100km.

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