All-new BMW 5 Series Touring launches as EV
530e PHEV soon, combustion to follow - but for now the 5 Series wagon kicks off in i5 format with up to 600hp
Pleasingly, the BMW M5 Touring is making a return very soon, after something like 15 years away. Now we have a much better idea of just what it’ll look like thanks to the reveal of this, the sixth-generation 5 Series Touring (or G61, if you’re still keeping up on those - a neat link back to the old E61, the last time there was an M5 wagon).
If this new one looks pretty massive, then your eyes aren’t deceiving you - this is the first 5 Series Touring that’s more than five metres in length (5,060mm) and is almost 10cm (97mm, to be precise) longer than the old model. Which was hardly small. It’s also 1,900mm wide, 1,515mm high and with a 2,995mm wheelbase. The family surely won’t need anything bigger, not least with ‘noticeably more leg, shoulder and elbow room’, as well as up to 1,700 litres of boot space.
Indeed BMW reckons that the dimensions, wide tracks, 50:50 weight distribution and ‘rigidity of the body-chassis connection’ make for ‘an ideal balance between sportiness and travelling comfort’. So everybody onboard should be content. These initial electric and plug-in models get air suspension on the rear axle, while available chassis equipment includes Adaptive Chassis Professional, M Sport braking, Integral Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilisation and Active Roll Comfort.
Reassuringly in these times of niche-busting bodystyles and familiar badges on unfamiliar cars, this new 5 Series Touring is exactly that: the estate version of BMW’s mid-size saloon. It’s not a swoopy shooting brake or an off-road-ready adventure wagon or anything wantonly radical. Ignore the silly Iconic Glow grille and this is a traditional BMW estate. Quite a handsome one, too. The flat window graphics and long roof spoiler are said to ‘emphasise the sporty, elegant 2-box design’, with the arches and rear window contributing to the 5’s ‘wide stature’. There’s no hiding the sheer size, that's for sure - but if ever a car is meant to be big it’s the family holdall.
The first models launched in this new 5 Series Touring range are the electric i5 derivatives, either a £69,040, 340hp eDrive40 or £99,090, 601hp M60. Yes, the 600hp, £100k one is the mere M Performance EV, so expect more than 700hp and surely something like £130,000 when the actual M5 arrives. Both powertrains are carried over wholesale from the four-door equivalent, with an 81.2kWh (usable) battery and up to 205kW charging. For the RWD eDrive 40, BMW claims 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, 120mph and 300-348 WLTP miles. Consumption is rated at between 3.22 and 3.77 miles per kilowatt hour, which sounds impressive for such a big bus.
As with the saloon, performance takes a big step up for the M60. Peak torque is 605lb ft with the overboost engaged (586lb ft otherwise), meaning 0-62mph is possible in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 143mph, the range is between 277 and 314 miles, and consumption is 2.99-3.4 mi/kWh. Standard spec in the UK will be an M Sport (19-inch wheels, vegan upholstery, M logos), with an M Sport Pro above that brings larger wheels, red calipers and an M rear spoiler. Wheels can go up to 21-inch, with further options including a pano roof, Individual Merino leather and a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system (standard on the M60).
The interior is as found in the saloon as well, dominated by the BMW Curved Display (12.3-inch driver display, 14.9-inch infotainment) and the Interaction Bar. As with the recently updated 4 Series, the 5 Series Touring runs iDrive with BMW Operating System 8.5 and QuickSelect, with the new AirConsole games standard to stave off boredom when charging as well. There’s a wealth of standard assistance tech on top, which might actually be quite handy given the size of the 5; it includes Parking Assistant, Trailer Assistant, Reversing Assist Camera, Driving Assistant Professional and Active Lane Change Assistant.
Both i5 Tourings are available to order now. Its introduction coincides with the launch of a Sport Edition for both 5 Series saloon and estate in the UK as a new entry model. It gets 19-inch wheels, Phytonic Blue paint, ‘satinated aluminium finishes’ and a Harman Kardon stereo as standard. BMW says the 530e PHEV - 299hp, 332lb ft, 6.4 seconds to 62mph and with up to 60 miles of electric range - will be here in the summer. All coming to a stables near you soon!
::Edit::
Looks like a 2017 540i Touring cost £55k, add inflation and it’s £72.2k, so not far away from the i5 40 Touring price today.]
I'm all for EVs, they can tick a lot of boxes but the estate should be a long distance load lugger and range is certainly important for longer journeys. Metcalf was getting nowhere near indicated range which would make travelling in this wagon somewhat a chore.
::Edit::
Looks like a 2017 540i Touring cost £55k, add inflation and it’s £72.2k, so not far away from the i5 40 Touring price today.]
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