- BMW has pulled the cover off a badass new M5 Touring station wagon at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
- Based on the M5 sedan, the Touring boasts 717 horsepower from a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, enough for a 3.5-second 60-mph time, according to BMW.
- Think of the M5 Touring as an even more practical daily driver than the M5—you know, in case its performance isn’t enough reason to justify the purchase. It is expected at dealers in early 2025.
A station wagon with an M5 logo is no longer forbidden fruit to driving enthusiasts in the U.S. thanks to the introduction of the 2025 BMW M5 Touring. This longroof version of the M5 sports sedan adds a lot more cargo space to the mix but sticks with the same plug-in-hybrid powertrain as the four-door.
That powertrain makes 717 horsepower and consists of a 577-hp twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and a 194-hp electric motor. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are both standard. The all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased and can be switched off, leaving the M5 Touring a rear-drive car.
Much has already been said of the new-generation M5’s weight gain, which at 5390 pounds is over 1100 pounds above the previous-generation sedan’s curb weight. The Touring will be even heavier; BMW reports an estimated 5530 pounds. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that both of these M cars are gonna rip.
BMW estimates a 3.5-second time to 60 mph for the M5 Touring, just a tenth of a second slower than the M5 sedan. Top speed is limited to 155 mph in the standard car, but with the optional M Driver’s package it is increased to 190 mph.
We recently had a chance to drive a prototype M5 Touring in Europe and came away impressed by its performance and less worried about its curb weight. Its plug-in-hybrid powertrain delivers a noticeable boost but also enables fuel-free driving for short trips up to around 25 miles. That’ll make it easier to savor the premium octane in the fuel tank when you get to some open tarmac.
You’d expect the price for a machine of this nature to be steep, and it is: $122,675, a $2000 premium over the M5 sedan. The M5 Touring’s closest natural rival is the Audi RS6 Avant, which has a similarly high asking price and less horsepower.
Plus, the M5 Touring comes with just about every luxury item in BMW’s arsenal: Bowers & Wilkins audio, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, a curved infotainment display with Drive 8.5, a head-up display, native navigation, and a lot more. Customization options through BMW’s Individual program are seemingly endless and include a wide range of exterior colors and some special Merino Metallic leather options for the cabin.
Production of the M5 Touring begins later this year, so expect to see them arrive at U.S. dealers in early 2025. In the meantime, join us in daydreaming about a future hi-po wagon comparison test pitting the BMW against the Audi.
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
