By Malusi Msomi

The new BMW 5 Series was launched in May last year. Fast forward 9 months, and BMW has unveiled the new 5 Series Touring. Highlights for the new 5 Series Touring include new pioneering systems for automated driving, increased sustainability, and the debut of the all-electric BMW i5 Touring.

Increased Dimensions

The new BMW 5 Series Touring features the same design cues as the 5 Series sedan but boasts increased dimensions: 97mm longer (5,060mm), 32mm wider (1,900mm), and 17mm higher (1,515mm), featuring the longest wheelbase in its class at 2,995mm.

The paint choices for the new BMW 5 Series Touring include three unique BMW Individual finishes. Standard features include light alloy wheels in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes tailored for both all-electric and plug-in hybrid models. For those seeking customization, optional 21-inch alloy wheels and packages like M Sport, M Sport Pro, and M Carbon Exterior are available.

Interior

Inside, you’ll find BMW’s Curved Display, which encompasses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. You’ll also find new sports seats fitted as standard and a new steering wheel, which is now flatter at the bottom. The standard interior of the new BMW 5 Series Touring is entirely vegan, featuring optional decorative perforation on the Veganza version’s seat surfaces. Additional optional upgrades include BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery in various bi-colour options. Other highlights of the optional equipment program include the panoramic glass roof and the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System with up to 18 loudspeakers.

The luggage compartment of the new BMW 5 Series Touring can be expanded from 570 to a maximum of 1,700 litres. Standard features include automatic tailgate operation and remote unlocking of the 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest.

New all-electric BMW i5 Touring

The new BMW i5 Touring will be available in two versions: BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring and the BMW i5 eDrive40 Touring. The i5 M60 xDrive Touring features integrated front and rear electric motors to create an electric all-wheel drive, boasting 442 kW. Activating M Launch Control or M Sport Boost increases torque to 820 Nm. This range-topping model hits 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and is electronically governed at 230 km/h. The BMW eDrive40 Touring, with its rear axle motor, achieves 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, thanks to its 250 kW and 430 Nm torque with Sport Boost or Launch Control.

Both models feature an underbody high-voltage 81.2 kWh battery. Alongside efficient electric motors, adaptive recuperation, and heat pump technology for interior climate control, they enhance the long-distance capabilities of the BMW i5 Touring. In WLTP tests, BMW claims the i5 M60 xDrive Touring achieves a range of 445 to 506 km, while the i5 eDrive40 Touring covers 483 to 560 km.

Latest Diesel Engines with 48-Volt Mild Hybrid Tech

The new BMW 5 Series Touring features diesel engines equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. All diesel variants, including the BMW 520d Touring models and BMW 520d xDrive Touring, are paired with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produces 145 kW and 400 Nm torque. A six-cylinder diesel engine will join the lineup later in the year, accompanied by two plug-in hybrid models with the latest technology.

Later this year, the 530e, 530e xDrive, and 540d xDrive Touring models will join the Touring lineup. The eagerly awaited M5 Touring, potentially the top-tier Touring model, is set to make its debut in the coming months.