The highly anticipated BMW M5 Touring is making a comeback after more than a decade, and it’s set to rival the Audi RS6. This super-estate combines a powerful 4.4-litre V8 engine with a rear-mounted electric motor, creating a potent plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicle.
The new BMW M5 Touring was recently spotted testing on the Nurburgring, and it is scheduled to be launched in 2024. The previous generation of the M5 Touring was discontinued in 2010, making this upcoming model highly anticipated by fans of high-performance estate cars.
According to sources close to BMW, the new M5 Touring will feature a combination of a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged S63 V8 engine and a rear-mounted electric motor. This hybrid powertrain is expected to deliver an impressive power output of around 790bhp and a torque output of 737lb ft.
The spy shots of the M5 Touring reveal its aggressive design, with wider front grille openings, a low-slung stance, muscular rear apron, and signature M5 quad exhausts. The car is currently undergoing testing not only on the Nurburgring but also in various urban areas, country roads, and motorways around Munich and at the BMW M headquarters in Garching.
Early prototypes of the new M5 Touring were equipped with a lithium-ion battery similar to the one found in the outgoing BMW 545e. However, it is unclear whether this battery will be used in the production version of the M5 Touring. There are suggestions that BMW M is developing its own performance battery with ultra-rapid discharge properties.
Considering that the upcoming 530e and 550e PHEVs from BMW will receive a larger 19.4kWh battery, it is possible that the M5 Touring will also feature a more capacious battery pack. BMW M development head Dirk Häcker has confirmed that they are installing a hybrid drive system with typical M performance in other high-performance cars.
Power from the hybrid powertrain will be transmitted through an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, and the M5 Touring will feature a rear-biased xDrive four-wheel drive system. The chassis of the M5 Touring has been heavily reworked, with a wider front and rear track to enhance its handling capabilities.
It’s worth noting that the BMW i5, which is set to be launched around the same time as the M5 Touring, will not have an all-electric M5 variant. However, the M division has worked on the i5 to create the i5 M60, which is not as performance-focused as the M5 but still delivers impressive acceleration. The i5 M60 features a dual-motor powertrain that produces a combined 593bhp and 605lb ft, allowing it to sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
The BMW M5 Touring has a rich history, with the first-generation model being introduced in 1992 as a more practical variant of the second-generation M5. However, it did not return for the third-generation model due to financial constraints, although a one-off prototype was built. The Touring made a comeback for the fourth-generation model but was only available in Europe, with limited sales of just 1009 units.
The return of the BMW M5 Touring is highly anticipated by enthusiasts who appreciate the combination of performance and practicality offered by super-estates. With its powerful hybrid powertrain and aggressive design, the M5 Touring is set to give the Audi RS6 a run for its money. Car enthusiasts will have to wait until 2024 to get their hands on this exciting new offering from BMW.