BMW has made the dreams of many enthusiasts come true by announcing the return of the BMW M5 Touring in 2024. The high-performance wagon will be based on the next-generation M5 sedan, which was revealed in May 2023, and will challenge the Audi RS6 Avant and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon in the super-fast estate segment.
The new M5 Touring will have a “completely newly-developed partially electrified drive system,” according to BMW. This means that it will use a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with an electric motor. The total output is expected to be around 718 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful M5 ever. The M5 Touring will also have an M-tuned version of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which can send up to 100% of the torque to the rear wheels for a more dynamic driving experience.
The new BMW M5 Touring design will be inspired by the new BMW 5 Series but with a more muscular and aggressive appearance. The wagon will have a wider stance, larger air intakes, flared wheel arches, a roof-mounted spoiler, quad exhaust tips, and a massive diffuser. The interior will be spacious and luxurious, with sports seats, carbon fiber trim, digital instruments, and a large infotainment screen. The M5 Touring will also offer a generous cargo capacity of up to 1,870 liters (66 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded down.
BMW says that it will start testing the first prototypes of the new M5 Touring on public roads and on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the next few days, with the aim of ensuring “the ideal balance of sporting performance on the racetrack and superior ride comfort in everyday driving and over long distances.” The official debut of the new M5 Touring is expected to take place before the end of 2024, and it will go on sale shortly after.
The new BMW M5 Touring will be the third model in BMW’s history to wear the badge, following the E34 and the E61 generations. The E34 M5 Touring was launched in 1992 and was powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six engine with 340 horsepower. Only 891 units were produced, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item. The E61 M5 Touring was introduced in 2007 and featured a 5.0-liter V10 engine with 507 horsepower. It was also available with a six-speed manual transmission in some markets. However, neither of these models was offered in the United States.
BMW has yet to confirm whether the new M5 Touring will be sold in the US market, where wagons are less popular than SUVs. However, there is some hope for American enthusiasts, as BMW recently decided to bring the first-ever BMW M3 Touring to the US after years of demand. The same could happen for the new BMW M5 Touring if enough customers show interest.
The new M5 Touring will be one of the most exciting models in BMW’s lineup, offering a unique combination of performance, practicality, and style. It will also be one of the few electrified models from BMW’s M division, which is gradually embracing hybrid and electric technology. The new BMW M5 Touring will be a worthy successor to its predecessors and a true ultimate driving machine.
