For just the third time in its history, a load-lugging M estate will join BMW’s M5 saloon. And the BMW M5 Touring will make its world debut on 15 August at Monterey Car Week. It will be on show at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
It has been 14 years since BMW last offered an M5 Touring. That version had a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V10. The only other estate M5 came in the second generation E34.
The forthcoming M5 Touring will use the same plug-in hybrid powertrain that powers the M5 saloon. It offers a generous 533kW and 1000Nm of torque. The 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 produces 430kW and 750Nm of that. A single electric motor mounts within the eight-speed transmission. It adds 145kW and 280Nm to the tally.
With a 19.6kWh battery (18.6 usable) the M5 Touring’s electric range is expected to be around 65km. It should flash to 100km/h in around 3.5sec given the saloon can, though with a shade more weight than the 2.4 tonne sedan it might not be quite as quick.
Like the super-saloon, power goes to all four wheels via the M xDrive system. Evidently rear-wheel drive is possible, should the urge take you. That also deactivates stability control.
The M5 Touring is likely to have roughly 550 litres of boot space, which is about 100 litres more than the M5 saloon offers.
Rivals include Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ estate and Audi’s incoming A6 e-tron S and later an RS variant.
The M5 saloon pricing kicks off here at $244,900, while the M5 Touring will set you back $248,900 when it goes on sale first thing next year.
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