BMW M5

Even though it's taken the form of a practical executive estate, the M5 Touring offers all the performance, handling and excitement of the saloon. With its mighty V10 and hi-tech seven-ratio box, it can carry luggage at speeds which put some supercars to shame. Unfortunately for Audi, we reckon the BMW is the most thrilling load-lugger in the world.

The four exhaust pipes at the back of this BMW can mean just one thing - the M5 is going on Tour!

Auto Express first showed spy shots of the new M5 Touring in 2005, but only now can we put the car to the test. Sharing the same 5.0-litre V10 engine and rear-wheel-drive chassis as the flagship 5-Series saloon, the newcomer boasts a totally undiluted driving package.

Use the launch control mode of the amazing seven-speed SMG trans-mission, and the big estate blasts from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds - only 0.1 seconds behind the four-door car. And as well as the obvious additional versatility offered by the load-lugger body, the M5 Touring gets stronger air-suspension at the rear.

The exhaust system and some parts of the front axle have also been changed, adding around 100kg to the bulk of the M5 saloon. However, with more of the weight over the rear wheels, traction is actually better here. The Touring is a great-handling performance car, and unless you look in the mirror you really can't tell that you're not driving the four-door.

At £67,075, the M5 load-lugger is £2,580 more expensive than its saloon brother, and a substantial £14,995 costlier than Audi's smaller RS4. It's not cheap, but is unrivalled when it comes to mixing versatility with heart-stopping performance.