The Return of the BMW M5 Touring: A Revival of the Ultimate Super-Estate Showdown

The highly anticipated BMW M5 Touring has made its comeback after a 14-year hiatus, reigniting the epic three-way battle that took place in 2007. Back then, we pitted the formidable V10-powered E61-generation M5 Touring against its German rivals, the Audi RS4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C63, to determine the ultimate super-estate.

This showdown was not just about speed and performance; it also tested the practicality of these high-performance vehicles. In fact, our testers even loaded each car with 350kg of ballast to simulate a fully loaded lap of the track.

Now, as the new BMW M5 Touring hits the market, it’s time to revisit this legendary test and find out which of these three powerhouses emerged as the overall winner. Below is an excerpt from our original test, and you can read the full feature on the Autocar archive, where you can explore 129 years of the magazine’s history with just a click.

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2 May 2007: Wagons Rule

BMW has undeniably established itself as a dominant force in the performance sector, competing and often leading in every market it enters. From sports saloons to super-heated saloons, BMW has made performance its signature language.

However, there was one area where BMW had been noticeably absent for nearly two decades: the super-estate segment. While Audi and Mercedes had been producing turbocharged estate cars, BMW had only offered faster V8 versions of its 5-series touring. But now, with the return of the M5 Touring, BMW is ready to reclaim its stake in the high-performance estate market.

What makes these three cars – the BMW M5 Touring, Audi RS4 Avant, and Mercedes-AMG C63 – so appealing as station wagons? It’s the combination of performance and practicality. These estates not only deliver impressive speed but also offer spacious and versatile bodyshells. Whether it’s a family outing, a trip to the dump, or challenging supercars on the road, these wagons can do it all.

Looking back at the 2007 test, it’s evident how far the performance car has evolved. The Audi RS4, with its 414bhp V8 engine, was considered impressive at the time. However, the new M5 Touring took things to another level with its 500bhp V10 engine. And let’s not forget about the Mercedes-AMG E63, which boasted an incredible 507bhp.

If you want to relive this iconic test and discover the ultimate winner, subscribe to the Autocar Archive and gain access to the full feature.

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