2020 BMW 5-Series Is Getting A Massive Power Upgrade

What do you do when an automaker hinges its brand on a blend of performance and luxury? You get insane luxury sedans that produce supercar levels of power while cradling passengers in the finest leathers. BMW has two such luxe sedans — the BMW M550i xDrive and the legendary M5. Over the years, the gap between the two has narrowed, making the M5’s nearly $30,000 price premium challenging to swallow. However, a new report from CarBuzz confirms the M550i will be nipping at the M5’s heels with an upgraded engine.

CarBuzz has confirmed the 2020 BMW 5-Series will receive the newer version of the company’s N63 engine that currently powers the new 8-Series. The N63 in the current M550i — a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 — makes 455 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. The updated N63 will produce 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

For comparison, the M5 makes 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Slipping the updated 8-Series engine into the 2020 5-Series closes the power gap considerably. The only difference between the two would be the M550i making 77 horsepower less than the M5 while matching torque.

The upgraded engine would put it ahead of its direct competitors, too. The Audi S6 makes 450 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter engine. The new engine would put the BMW ahead of the performance-oriented Mercedes-Benz AMG C63, which can produce up to 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. However, the AMG E63 still retains a clear lead, making 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.

The 2020 5-Series’ new engine puts it well within reach of the significantly more expensive M5. The closeness between the two could mean a performance boost for the M5; however, we will have to wait to see how BMW does soon to keep its legendary nameplate king of the performance luxury sedans.

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