Truth be told, Audi Sport doesn't dominate the super executive wagon segment with the RS 6 Avant, as there is an equally sizable and similarly fast machine from Mercedes-AMG, too: the E 63 Estate. However, their reign is about to end, as BMW's M Division is putting the final touches on an all-new M5 Touring.
The Munich auto marque hasn't been offering a five-door version of the M5 since the E61 from the 2000s, aka the V10-powered one. Previously, it was the E34 made between 1988 and 1995 that was offered in the family-friendly body style. But the ultra-fast business wagon is about to make a comeback, confirmed by none other than BMW. And it is the M Division's engineers who are currently refining it and adjusting various parameters, as the car is in the last stages of testing.
Exterior Design and a Very Large Trunk
The styling will be identical to that of the upcoming M5 Sedan at the front, as it will feature a longer roof ending above the tailgate in the M5 Touring. The model will feature larger three-quarter windows and bigger fenders at the rear, all for the sole purpose of making its trunk as spacious as possible without losing the appeal. And setting the five-door M5 apart from the 5er Touring will be the different kidney grille, which, thankfully, won't go down the oversized route.
Photo: Kolesa
It will sport a new bumper with larger intakes, a different bumper at the rear with an aggressive diffuser attached to it, fat side skirts, swollen fenders, and the signature quad exhaust tips. You can bet your bottom dollar on exclusive wheels and tires, and the M logos will probably complete the design on the outside. But don't go scrolling down to learn about the cockpit yet, as it will also sit closer to the ground compared to the regular 5 Series and will likely launch with exclusive colors in a similar vein to its smaller siblings, like the M4, M3, and M2.
Take a Look Inside the New 5 Series and i5, and You'll Know What To Expect From the 5 Series Touring
In a few words, look for the famous curved display that throws in the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the 12.3-inch digital dials sitting behind a single pane of glass. These are the dominating features inside, though they won't stop here. In fact, BMW's M Division will give the M5 Touring dedicated submenus and an exclusive load screen. The steering wheel will be different, and the front seats will feature extra side bolstering. Expect additional carbon fiber and more M logos alongside backlit door sills, aluminum pedals and footrest, a black headliner, and a sportier selection of leather and suede.
A BMW Wagon That's Ready for the Racetrack
A bespoke chassis tune complete with a different suspension setup will be things that enthusiasts will try to replicate on the normal 5ers in the future. Larger brakes will back up the exclusive wheels, and we could be looking at wider tracks, though it is too early to say. You will have to settle for electrified power, and unlike the next Mercedes-AMG E 63, which is said to get a six-pot under the hood, the all-new M5 Sedan and Touring will launch with a twin-turbocharged V8, a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-biased all-wheel drive for all-weather capabilities.
Photo: Kolesa
Some say it could be the same assembly as the one used on the XM Label Red, which has 738 hp (749 ps/550 kW) produced by its V8 and transmission-housed electric motor, which is good for 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of torque in total. Others say it will be much more potent, perhaps boasting in the region of 800 hp, supposedly taking less than three seconds from naught to sixty-two mph (0 to 100 kph). Thus, it could turn out to be quicker than some modern-day supercars in a straight line and could run out of breath at close to 200 mph (~320 kph) when ticking the M Driver’s Pack box on the options list.
When Should You Start Saving Up for It?
If you have to save up for a car with a premium flair that goes like stink, you probably won't be able to afford it. But in other words, as soon as possible, as BMW has announced that it will debut in 2024. And the big news is that this time it will launch in North America, unlike the previous generations of the M5 Touring, which were kept away from the New World. The price tag will sit in the six-digit territory, and it is estimated that it could start at roughly $130,000 when it launches or perhaps more. The rivaling Audi RS 6 Avant starts at $125,800 for the 2024 model year, and Mercedes-AMG has yet to introduce the all-new E 63 in Sedan and Estate guises.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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