BMW's 5 Series Touring loads up

15th March 2010

Choosing an executive estate just got loads harder – as BMW has released official pictures of its new 5-Series Touring. The car is set to join the saloon and GT hatch in dealers in September.

See the BMW 5 Series Touring in action here

It’s identical to the four-door from the nose to the B-pillars, but the tailgate has been designed with horizontal creases to make it appear lower, wider and more dynamic. Add 
the short rear overhang and elegant curving screen, and the profile is almost coupé-like.

Inside, the 7-Series-inspired cockpit, with its black-panel instruments, is carried over from the saloon. But rear passengers gain 13mm of extra knee space, and headroom is more generous thanks to the longer roofline. Boot capacity is 560 litres – that’s 60 litres up on the old car – and it expands to 590 litres if you specify the Extended Storage pack, which lets you set the rear seatbacks to a vertical position.

The bench also has a 40/20/40 split-fold configuration, and with all the seats flat there’s minimal intrusion from the rear suspension – so maximum luggage space is 1,670 litres. That’s 10 litres more than in the Audi A6, but some way behind the Mercedes E-Class estate, which offers 1,950 litres.

As in the E-Class, the load cover retracts automatically when you lift the bootlid. But the BMW scores with its independently opening tailgate glass.

At launch, there will be a choice of two petrol engines and two diesels, with an eco-friendly EfficientDynamics model due later. Bosses expect oil-burners to be more popular, with the entry-level 181bhp 520d set to account for 70 per cent of sales. This car features stop-start technology – the first time it has appeared on the 5-Series – and promises 54.3mpg economy.

Joining the 520d will be the six-cylinder 3.0-litre 530d, which delivers 242bhp. Both variants come with a six-speed manual box as standard, but eight-ratio autos are optional on all models.

Both petrol units are 3.0-litre straight-sixes, with the naturally aspirated 523i variant developing 201bhp and returning 35.8mpg. The top-performing 535i has a single turbo, taking power to 302bhp. It sprints from 0-62mph in six seconds exactly on its 
way to a limited 155mph.

The Touring is only 8mm longer than the saloon, and weighs 90kg more, although the maker claims it retains the four-door’s 50/50 weight distribution. All variants get leather seats, Bluetooth, air-con and parking sensors as standard. Matt silver roof rails are also included, as is self-levelling rear air-suspension to ensure the car remains as flat as possible in corners when loaded.

The Touring carries a £2,225 premium over the saloon. Prices range from £30,380 for the 520d to £39,650 for the 535i. The 530d is £39,400 and the 523i £33,585.

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