BMW confirms next-gen M5 Touring
Equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, BMW’s flagship estate will take on Audi's RS6 Avant and the Mercedes-AMG E63
BMW has confirmed its next-gen M5 will be available in estate guise, the first time since 2007.
Teasing the vehicle ahead of its unveiling later this year, the M5 Touring will join the M3 Touring in the company’s lineup of high-performance estates, and will compete with Audi’s RS6 Avant.
The last flagship estate from BMW was the E61 M5, which was powered by a 5-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine making 500hp. Though the car’s powertrain and performance figures are yet to be officially announced, things are expected to be very different for this latest version.
Pre-production prototypes of the M5 Touring have confirmed it’ll be a plug-in hybrid affair, featuring a similar 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the current-generation M5 saloon.
This new setup should be enough to surpass the 616 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque found in the F90 Competition.
The M5 Touring will also come with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system, which should also help to achieve a 0 to 62 mph time in less than the 3.3 seconds achieved by its predecessor.
Due to limited images and camouflage, it is challenging to discern specific design details. However, certain elements from the M5 saloon are clearly visible, such as the muscular wheel arches, a more prominent rear bumper and quad exhaust exits.
Additionally, the M5 Touring will feature a new spoiler on the rear boot to improve aerodynamics.