Not since the V10 engined M5, has the Touring name been mentioned together with the M5 nomenclature. The wait is over as the new M5 Touring has been unveiled in the latest Hybrid spec.
The front is identical to the M5 sedan meaning large air intakes and a newly designed BMW M kidney grille, which is showcased as standard by BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting. LED Matrix lights comes standard with Laserlight offered as an option.
A model-specific side frame design incorporating prominently flared wheel arches teams up with muscular shoulders and a long roofline to headline the athletic appearance of the new BMW M5 Touring. The M light-alloy wheels (front: 20 inches; rear: 21 inches) are fitted as standard with high-performance tyres. Slim rear lights extending into the car’s flanks, vertical reflectors positioned to the outer edges of the rear end and a two-section split diffuser with two pairs of exhaust tailpipes integrated to the left and right emphasise the width and powerful stature of the new BMW M5 Touring.
The M5 Touring shares the same engine as the sedan, this means an M HYBRID drive system where the 4.4-litre V8 engine on its own has 430 kW/750 Nm. The maximum output of the electric motor is 145 kW/280 Nm, but a pre-gearing stage allows effective torque at the transmission input to be increased to 450 Nm. Total output is 535kW/1000Nm resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds, 0-200km/h in 11.1 seconds topping at 250km/h if limited but if you opt for the M Driver’s Package and the limit is moved to 305km/h.
The power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode. However, the driver can also select 2WD mode. This sends drive exclusively to the rear wheels with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system switched off, which will appeal to experienced drivers who prefer a performance experience of the pure-bred variety. This further developed iteration of M xDrive – like the electronically controlled Active M Differential at the rear axle – is tailored specially to the performance characteristics of the M HYBRID drive system.
As well as the M-specific control panel on the centre console, the progressive sports car cockpit of the new BMW M5 Touring also contains a newly designed, flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel with illuminated M buttons, M multifunction seats with a wide range of electric adjustment and the BMW Curved Display which, like the standard BMW Head-Up Display, includes M-specific content. The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional also brings the BMW Maps navigation system and the Augmented View function on the control display.
M multifunction seats comes standard in Merino leather trim. From 2025, customers will also be able to give their cars an additional touch of luxury in the form of BMW Individual Metallic Merino leather trim.
Rear seats feature the same leather treatment as the fronts. Four zone climate control, M specific interior lighting, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound is enjoyed by all occupants of the M5 Touring.
The load capacity of the new BMW M5 Touring can be expanded from 500 to a maximum of 1,630 litres. The standard-fitted Comfort Access and automatic tailgate operation enable easy loading and unloading. The maximum trailer load for the optional trailer coupling is 2,000 kg.
No word yet from BMW SA on the local availability of the M5 Touring but considering the M3 Touring is dead set for local launch, I would visit my local BMW dealer and put my name down for 2025.