Meet the German automotive powerhouse's latest V8 super wagon
Welcome back BMW M5 Touring, it’s been a while. For the first time in 17 years Munich has called up its power-mad M-Division and asked them to unleash their magic on the latest 5-Series Touring ( that's BMW-speak for estate). Super-fast, designed to convey you and just about anything you want to carry with you absolutely anywhere, in any conditions. And back again. All in sybaritic comfort. If the BMW M5 is the ultimate saloon, the M5 Touring is not only the ultimate estate but all the car you’ll ever need, and then some.
Let’s start with what every BMW M5 fan really wants to know. What’s behind that ugly-beautiful nose, under that long distinctive bonnet? New M5 Touring embraces plug-in hybrid power, but worry not this is no slothful SUV. Instead the V8 is boosted by an electric motor to produce a more-than-hefty 700 bhp. Supercar power in an M5 Touring? That’s what you’re getting, powering all four wheels so you’re not going to caught out by the occasional flood.
Catch our drift?
Keen on a track day for your M5 Touring? You’ll be well looked after by interior comfort, in BMW M5 tradition. And M-Division have handily provided you with the option to go rear-wheel drive for just a little tail-out action. We’re not suggesting or condoning drifting, to be clear. It’s just what we’d do and it's in keeping with M5 Touring history.
First M5 Touring was released in 1992, meticulously handbuilt, based on the now-revered E34 generation of 5-Series saloons and estates. Straight six engine on this BMW M5 produced 335 bhp, reaching rear wheels through five-speed manual gearbox. Stiffer suspension and limited slip differential spoke of performance intent with a limited 155 mph top speed possible. Fewer than 1,000 examples of this BMW M5 Touring were made, making them highly collectable. Pay £50,000 for an appreciating modern classic.
21 Seconds to go
Want a V10 in your M5 Touring? Of course you do. Try a second generation BMW M5 estate, introduced in 2007. Today, around £30,000 puts a hugely complex, massively powerful E61 M5 Touring in your driveway ready for the run to Ikea, possibly via Berlin. Subtle bodykit hid serious intent with 500 bhp available from Formula One derived power plant. Just one statistic says it all: 150 mph was reached in 21 seconds, or rather less than it’s taken you to read this paragraph. Phew.
We love a fast estate, so naturally we’ve already been busy on Munich’s faintly addictive configurator speccing our third generation BMW M5. BMW is renowned for luring in enthusiasts with a come-and-get-me price only for that vastly to be inflated once you add essential extras to your personal M5 Touring. Latest BMW M5 Touring prices start at - deep breath - £112,500. But that’s without Kyalami Orange And Black Bicolour Extended Merino Leather, an obvious essential which adds £500. Plus £400 for Fine Wood Oak Dark High Gloss Interior Trim, and then there’s … Our advice: just order one. Now.
Next up: The eight fastest BMW sports cars of all time
