BMW M5 Touring: The ultimate wagon we can’t have

BMW M5 Touring: The ultimate wagon we can’t have

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‍The excitement around the BMW M5 Touring was evident upon its announcement. After all, the station wagon body style isn’t an unfamiliar concept within the venerable M range, and enthusiasts will recall the iconic E34 and E61 M5 Touring models, which have achieved cult-like status. 

On a related note, the upcoming M3 Competition Touring also hinted at what was to come. 

That said, BMW M has revealed the M5 Touring, which is based on the G90 M5 variant that debuted in June. Styling-wise, the new M5 Touring is everything the M5 sedan is and more, thanks to its wagon silhouette. It just looks absolutely stunning. 

The M5 Touring joins the lineup with dimensions that closely match those of its sedan counterpart. Specifically, it’s 5,096mm long, 1,970mm wide, has a wheelbase of 3,006mm, and sits 1,511mm high (compared to 1,510mm for the M5 sedan). Notably, the M5 Touring offers a larger boot, accommodating 500 litres of cargo (as opposed to the M5 sedan’s 466 litres). Folding down the rear seats further expands the cargo space to an impressive 1,630 litres. 

For context, the BMW X4 M Competition offers 490 litres of cargo space, highlighting the spaciousness of the M5 Touring. 

Like its sedan sibling, the M5 Touring is an intriguing package. It makes use of the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant with an M Hybrid system and a single electric motor powered by a high-voltage battery pack with 18.6kWh of usable capacity (14.8kWh for the sedan). The system puts down 535kW of power and a mountain-moving 1,000Nm of torque. 

In terms of performance, with all four wheels delivering power to the tarmac, it rockets off the mark to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds (0.1 seconds slower than the sedan) while shifting through an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. Its top speed is capped at 250km/h or 305km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package. 

According to BMW, the M5 Touring can travel up to 67km on electric power alone before the combustion engine kicks in. 

Moving inside, you still get the same M-specific features and detailing. These include an M leather steering wheel, M multifunction seats, M-specific readouts on the BMW Curved Display, and the standard BMW Head-Up Display. Other features include M-specific interior lighting with Welcome Animation and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, while the options list includes an optional heated steering wheel, active seat ventilation, and a panoramic glass sunroof. 

BMW has officially announced that the new BMW M5 Touring will make its global premiere during Monterey Car Week in the USA. Unfortunately, BMW will only sell it to its key markets, such as Germany, the USA, Great Britain, Canada, and Switzerland.

Despite the absence of the M5 Touring on South African roads, BMW SA has confirmed the introduction of the formidable M3 Touring before the year's end. Enthusiasts can look forward to the M3 Touring’s arrival, complete with a price tag of R2,195,000.

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