550i

BMW introduced the 550i nameplate for the 2006 model year as the V8-powered upper end of the 5 Series range, replacing the older 545i designation in BMW’s model naming structure. It first appeared on the E60 5 Series sedan, bringing a more performance-focused character to the executive-sedan lineup while remaining part of the regular 5 Series family rather than a separate M model. In 2010, BMW carried the 550i badge into the next-generation 5 Series sedan and also used it for the 5 Series Gran Turismo, extending the nameplate beyond the traditional sedan body style. The 550i remained the flagship non-M 5 Series variant through the F10 generation, with BMW continuing to offer it in North American and other markets through the mid-2010s. The nameplate’s final chapter came with the end of the 5 Series Gran Turismo and the transition to the next 5 Series generation, after which BMW’s performance-oriented V8 role was taken over by the M550i xDrive badge instead. For enthusiasts, the 550i stands out as the long-running V8 5 Series that bridged the classic sport-sedan era and BMW’s later, more overtly performance-branded 5 Series variants.