New BMW M5 Touring Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

We’ve already driven a prototype version of BMW’s mighty new hybridised M5 on track and been suitably blown away by its performance, tech and surprisingly playful handling. But there’s more where that came from, the Touring version we were also shown on the day but not allowed to mention until now adding an extra twist. Yes, it’s an estate version of the M5, a car BMW said it wasn’t going to make again after disappointing sales the last time it tried it in 2007. But the success of the smaller M3 Touring has convinced it now may be the time for another go.
• 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine plus electric motor equals … 727 horsepower and up to 1,000Nm of torque • Basically the same as the M5 saloon but all new from the rear doors back • Sophisticated variable all-wheel drive system to put all that power down whatever the weather, with option of a tyre-smoking rear-wheel drive setting if you’re feeling brave • M Hybrid system with over 40 miles of electric only range for purring round the city in stealth mode before unleashing hell on the open road or racetrack • Shared tech with the imposing XM SUV but with less divisive looks • Starting price of £112,500 will soon rise if you hit the options list

Understated but massively powerful estate cars were traditionally Audi or Mercedes-AMG affairs but BMW seems to have caught both napping with this M5 Touring. If not exactly shy and retiring it’s at least (relatively) more subtle than an XM, wider bodywork to contain fatter tyres, some extra air intakes up front and quadruple exhausts out back all making it look significantly meaner than a regular 5 Series or electric i5 Touring. Seating four in comfort and five at a squeeze (though the person left with the middle seat gets a raw deal) the M5 Touring is as luxurious as it is fast, and combines all that performance with typical estate car practicality, including provision for a tow hook if you want to beat the other caravaners to the best pitch on the camp site. Other than the body shape differences between this and the M5 saloon are relatively minor, the Touring having a regular roof rather than the standard panoramic glass one on the four-door. Like the saloon there’s one model with a generous standard spec, options like carbon ceramic brakes (recommended, if our experiences on track with the saloon are anything to go by), extra carbon trim and more available individually or bundled into one self-explanatory ‘Ultimate Pack’ adding another £20,000 or so to the price. In for a penny…

BMW’s interiors are leading the way at the moment for their blend of quality, luxury, tech and surprise and delight features like neatly integrated ambient lighting via the ‘Interactive Bar’ across the dash, in this case showing the signature M colours. If the exterior is relatively restrained in appearance the designers seem to have let their hair down a little for the colour options inside, the car we saw fitted with lairy looking orange leather contrasting with the dark green paintwork while the one in the pictures has an equally eye-catching red/black combo. Like the M5 saloon the Touring gets the latest version of BMW’s Curved Display and slick operating system powering the paired screens within. If, as expected, the spec matches that of the saloon a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound stereo is also standard, the better to be enjoyed when you’re cruising in silent electric mode. Out back the bigger boot is of course a big attraction of the Touring, though it is a little on the shallow side and if you really need the space an XM might still be the better choice.

The ability to plug your M5 Touring in and cruise on silent electric power for up to 40 miles or so feels faintly absurd given there’s also a massive turbocharged V8 petrol engine on board but even BMW’s M division has to at least look like it’s playing the efficiency game. Nobody is fooled, given the electric power here is really about an even heftier kick of performance and pace to humble all but the fastest of supercars. In a family-friendly estate.

None of this performance, luxury or technology comes cheaply of course and the starting price of £112,500 before what BMW calls ‘on the road charges’ is suitably burly, even if it’s a fraction less than the saloon.

BMW has been busy of late and if the idea of a six-figure mega estate car looks a little too much there’s a new X3 on the way as well, which we’ll be driving soon.

Given fast estate cars are an Audi staple it’s a little surprising BMW has caught its German rival napping here. Local pride dictates Audi will likely respond in due course but for the time being the estate-like Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo is probably the closest rival in spirit, the updated version now packing up to 952 horsepower though considerably more expensive than the M5 Touring.