This is the new BMW 5-series Touring, the load-carrying variant of the new 5-series that will have a larger boot capacity than the model it replaces when it reaches British showrooms in September.
Priced from £30,380, it will join the new saloon and GT in the 5-series line-up and compete head on with the recently released Mercedes E-class estate.
The new Touring’s boot capacity with the rear seats up is 560 litres — 60 litres more than the outgoing model’s. Seats-down capacity is up 20 litres to 1670 litres. Despite these increases, the BMW’s load capacity is still dwarfed by the cavernous 695/1950 litres of cargo space offered by the E-class.
All Tourings feature 40/20/40 flat-folding rear seats and an opening rear window to help with the loading of smaller items.
At launch there will be two petrol and two diesel engines on offer. The biggest seller is expected to be the entry-level four-cylinder diesel 520d, which produces 181bhp and 280lb ft. This model has combined economy of 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 137g/km. Completing the diesel range is the six-cylinder 530d, with 242bhp and 398lb ft. A 535d is expected to follow later.
The six-cylinder petrol range consists of the naturally aspirated 201bhp/199lb ft 523i and the range-topping 302bhp/295lb ft turbocharged 535i. The 535i can crack 0-62mph in 6.0sec and reach a limited top speed of 155mph. All engines have a six-speed manual ’box as standard. An eight-speed auto is optional on all variants.
Each Touring also comes with self-levelling rear air suspension to improve ride and handling when carrying heavy loads. An optional Drive Dynamic Control system offers four modes — Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport + — that alter steering and throttle responses and damper settings. BMW’s four-wheel Integral Active Steering is also optional.
Thanks to: Autocar