The BMW M5 Touring is coming back.
BMW M GmbH has confirmed it will introduce the long-rumoured long-roof in 2024, and has released a few teaser images.
The high-performance M5 Touring will accompany the M5 sedan that has already commenced road and track testing.
It’ll be the first M5 Touring since 2010 and only the third generation of M5 to offer this body style, and will slot in above the new M3 Touring – the first-ever M3 wagon.
The teaser images show a camouflaged prototype, with a fairly rakish tailgate topped by a spoiler.
There are some prototype elements still on this example, including faux reflectors on the tailgate and testing equipment inside.
For now, the model appears to receive dual-circular exhausts, however this may change before the vehicle goes into production.
BMW says the new M5 range will offer “partly electrified” powertrains.
“We are now also installing a hybrid drive system with typical M performance in other high-performance cars,” said Dirk Häcker, head of development at BMW M GmbH.
The new M5 will reportedly adopt the plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain from the XM crossover, which has 550kW of power and 1000Nm of torque. It has a claimed 88km of electric range thanks to its 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The current M5 uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with 460kW and 750Nm in its most powerful CS guise and doesn’t offer any hybrid assistance.
BMW M could use the XM’s hybrid-specific M xDrive all-wheel drive system which includes an electronic rear differential lock in the rear axle transmission.
It also features an active anti-roll system, although it’s not clear if the lower-riding M5 will require the same tech.
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2024 BMW M5
The brand confirmed it has commenced the “practical phase of its series development process” for the M5.
BMW M says it will begin testing of the M5 Touring in the coming days on urban and country roads and motorways near Munich, before putting it through its paces at the Nurburgring.
The sedan, codenamed G90, is reportedly expected to enter production in July 2024, while the Touring, codenamed G99, will follow in November 2024.
By reintroducing a performance wagon of this size, BMW will once again have a rival for the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-AMG E63 wagons – though only the Audi is sold here.
Based on spy photos, the interior of the M5 is expected to not stray far from the 5 Series/i5’s current layout and design, with the exception of some specific M cues.
The interior of the 5 Series boasts a curved display housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen which runs BMW iDrive 8.5.
BMW has only offered an M5 Touring in two different generations.
It produced 891 examples of the E34 generation wagon between 1992 and 1995, and it was to a large extent hand-finished.
The M5 Touring disappeared until the wild, V10-powered E61 entered production. Just 1009 were produced and sold between 2007 and 2010.
MORE: Everything BMW M5
