BMW M5 Touring: The Return of the Super Estate

The BMW M5 Touring is Set to Make a Comeback

The highly anticipated BMW M5 Touring is set to be unveiled on 15 August, according to the brand’s official announcement. This super estate will make its debut at the Lodge at Pebble Beach as part of the company’s participation in Monterey Car Week in California.

Powertrain and Performance

BMW has strongly hinted that the M5 Touring will feature the same powertrain as its saloon counterpart. This means it will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine and a gearbox-mounted electric motor. The V8 engine delivers an impressive 577bhp, while the electric motor adds an additional 196bhp. Together, they produce a combined output of 717bhp and 738lb ft of torque.

The M5 Touring will also come with an 18.6kWh drive battery, which provides 47 miles of electric-only driving in the saloon model. However, due to the Touring’s higher roofline and potential aerodynamic compromises, the electric-only range may be slightly reduced.

It’s worth noting that the Touring’s increased size and weight, compared to the saloon, may result in a slightly slower acceleration time from 0-62mph.

Practicality and Space

One of the main advantages of the M5 Touring is its enhanced practicality. The electric i5 Touring, for example, offers an additional 80 litres of boot capacity compared to its saloon counterpart. If this is replicated in the M5 Touring, it would provide a generous 540 litres of cargo space.

Pricing and Availability

Prices for the M5 Touring are expected to be slightly higher than the saloon, which has a starting price of £111,405.

A Long-Awaited Return

The upcoming M5 Touring marks the first estate version of the M5 since the V10-engined ‘E61’ model, which was discontinued in 2010. The only other estate variant of the M5 was the second-generation ‘E34’, although a one-off prototype of the revered V8-powered ‘E39’ was also produced.