BMW hasn’t made a Touring variant of the legendary M5 since the wild E61, which departed in 2010. Since then, fans of the Bavarian powerhouse have clamoured for another. After a long wait, the M5 Touring is back – but probably not in the way petrolheads hoped.
More Power, More Weight, Less Fun?
The M5 has never been a lithe sports car, it’s a big executive saloon with enough power under the bonnet and steering and suspension upgrades that can just about hold its own on the track. However, the new Touring takes it to the extremes. Tipping the scales at 2550kg, it weighs more than most SUVs and has similar dimensions to them, at least in length and width.
To power such a behemoth BMW has implemented a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 585hp and 750Nm of torque. That’s not all, though. It’s combined with a 197hp electric motor to make 727hp and 1000Nm of torque in total. Despite its weight, the new BMW M5 Touring can still reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and 189 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package. The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased and has a 2WD mode. The 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox is used.
Dynamic Driving is Still Prioritised
Perhaps it’s no longer a ‘pure’ M5, but the G99 still has some upgrades to enhance the driving experience. The body is more rigid, thanks to bracing at the front and rear, and it features a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering makes the M5 Touring a versatile performance car, as do the M Compound brakes – although they can be upgraded to carbon ceramics. M light-alloy wheels are standard.
There’s also plenty of customisation to tune the driving experience. The two M buttons can be programmed for custom driving modes and M Dynamic Mode adjusts the stability control. The hybrid system can also be configured, to be oriented towards performance or fuel economy. Dynamic and Dynamic Plus modes are available as part of M Drive Professional and prime the system for short bursts of maximum power.
A Bold Design Inside and Out
Love it or loathe it, the new BMW M5 Touring follows the design language seen across the brand. This means extreme kidney grilles (which are surrounded by lights, of course), thin headlights comprising of bars, and extensive use of black parts. There are plenty of creases at the side and low, muscular arches signal that this is the performance model. The long roofline becomes a spoiler, while the rear features slim lights and a split diffuser.
Inside, it follows the formula of other new BMWs. The flat-bottom steering wheel, curved screen and Interaction Bar will be familiar to fans of the brand. As standard, there are M seats wrapped in Merino leather, a head-up display, four-zone climate control and a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System. Options include a heated steering wheel, cooled seats and a panoramic glass sunroof.
The latest version of iDrive features and BMW Live Cockpit Professional is standard. Video streaming and games are available due to a 5G antenna, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.
Practicality is Far from Diminished
While the hybrid system may detract from the purity of the new M5, it also adds to the usability of it. Up to 42 miles on electricity is possible and it means you can leave for work early without disturbing the entire neighbourhood. There’s also 500 litres of boot space, although folding the seats down increases it to a whopping 1,530 litres.
Order books are now open, with UK deliveries beginning in early 2025. The new BMW M5 Touring is priced from £112,500.
