2011 BMW 550i Gran Turismo
The 2011 BMW 550i Gran Turismo is a hatchback. It has a 4.4-litre turbocharged eight-cylinder engine producing 400 hp (298 kW), with an 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. 0–60 mph takes 5.2 seconds and top speed is 155 mph (249 km/h).
ABOUT THE 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO
The 2011 BMW 550i Gran Turismo is the V8, rear-wheel-drive version of the 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07), a large five-door hatchback. It uses BMW’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre N63 V8, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft, and an eight-speed automatic.
Concept and position
The GT was conceived as a roomy alternative to a sedan or SUV, built on the 7 Series platform with a 3,070 mm wheelbase. The 550i GT sits at the top of the GT range, sharing its V8 with the 750i and the X6 xDrive50i. Its “hot-vee” layout places the turbochargers between the cylinder banks, which keeps the engine compact.
What it is like
With a high driving position, a long roof and a dual-mode tailgate that opens as a small lid or a full hatch, the GT feels more like a luxury tourer than a sports sedan. The V8 provides strong acceleration despite the car’s considerable weight, and the rear-drive version is lighter than the xDrive car. Rear passengers benefit from sliding, reclining seats.
Buying one today
The early N63 V8 is among BMW’s most problematic modern engines. Known weak points include high oil consumption, worn valve-stem seals, timing-chain wear, fuel-injector failures and heat-related damage to hoses and seals around the turbochargers. BMW issued a customer care programme to address several of these, so check whether that work was carried out. Air-suspension leaks are also commonly reported.
Rivals
Its closest rival was the Porsche Panamera; buyers might also have considered the Mercedes-Benz CLS550 or the BMW X6.
Written by CarDetails.org. Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
SPECS
| Make | BMW | Model | 550i Gran Turismo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2011 | Version / Trim | BMW 2011 550i Gran Turismo |
| Body Style | Hatchback | Doors | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | Ext. Colour | Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Melbourne Red Metallic |
| Steering | LHD / RHD | Manufactured In | Germany |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) | Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Engine | 4.4L 8-cyl Turbo | Engine Size | 4,400 cc |
| Power | 400 hp / 298 kW | Torque | 600 Nm / 450 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 5.2 sec | Top Speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy | 15 mpg city / 22 mpg hwy | ||
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | Kerb Weight | 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) |
HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER 2011 HATCHBACKS
Compared with other 2011 hatchbacks in our database, its 400 hp is 89% more than the average 2011 hatchback (212 hp), and it reaches 60 mph 3.1 seconds quicker than average, and it is 29% heavier than the typical hatchback.
| 2011 BMW 550i Gran Turismo | Average 2011 hatchbacks | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp | 212 hp (12 cars) | +89% |
| Torque | 600 Nm | 286 Nm (12 cars) | +110% |
| 0–60 mph | 5.2 s | 8.3 s (12 cars) | -37% |
| Top speed | 155 mph | 124 mph (12 cars) | +25% |
| Kerb weight | 1,870 kg | 1,450 kg (12 cars) | +29% |
| Engine size | 4,400 cc | 2,464 cc (11 cars) | +79% |
Averages are calculated from all cars of the same model year and body type in the CarDetails.org database that have the figure listed. For 0–60 mph, a negative difference means quicker.