Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 4395cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 5 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2215 kgs (4883 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4395cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (225.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 200.4 bhp per ton and 216.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 5 Series competing with the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (225.4 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Drag Pack 4 Speed (225.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 216.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1969 Pontiac Firebird 350 (241.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Diesel Turbo (241.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.06 secs @ 97.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 5 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison