Accolades:

Car and Driver, November 2006, p. 94 (Comparison Test: Four upscale sedans to ward off old-guy blues). “The 550i is quick on the track, quick on the road, and smooth on the freeway.”

Automobile Magazine, September 2006, p. 17 (Ignition Alive: 2009 5-Series). Spy photos indicate toned-down creases and edges, less-busy details, and a more elegant appearance.”

p. 17. “The classic six-speed manual gearbox is joined by a traditional, torque-converter automatic that shifts 50 percent quicker and also can skip gears.”

Road & Track, July 2006, p. 95 (Road Test: BMW 550i vs. Lexus GS 450h). “The latest iteration of BMW’s 5 Series V-8 is arguably as big a technical achievement as the hybrid drive system. It’s a 4.8-liter 4-cam, 4-valve-per-cylinder engine that features the coolest of throttles – no butterflies to obstruct airflow, or turbulence-inducing barrels, just smooth runners that flow air cleanly at all rpm.”

p. 96. “Still the one to beat in terms of performance, the new BMW 5 Series artfully blends power (360 bhp) with handling.”

Road & Track, July 2006, p. 96 (Road Test: BMW 550i vs. Lexus GS 450h). “Still the one to beat in terms of performance, the new BMW 5 Series artfully blends power (360 bhp) with handling.”