BMW M5 Touring G99: Der leistungsstarke 727-PS-Kombi der Superlative debütiert 2024

The 2024 BMW M5 Touring G99 launches with a hefty 727 horsepower

The powerful V8 plug-in hybrid meets a hefty weight of over 2.5 tons

When the new BMW M5 Sedan made its debut around two months ago, it momentarily dominated online discussions, with virtually everyone having a take on it. The hot topic was undoubtedly the car's significant weight, which seemed at odds with its high-performance nature. Whether today's M5 Touring will cause a similar stir online is yet to be seen. There are certainly plenty of reasons it might.

After a 14-year hiatus, BMW has reintroduced the M5 Touring model. This marks only the third iteration of the legendary vehicle in its 40-year history, following releases in 1992 and 2007. In my opinion – and I say this with a bit of bias – it's absolutely stunning. It's incredibly powerful, yet still breathtakingly beautiful.

Photo Gallery: BMW M5 Touring (2024)

In addition, with 727 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, it's the most powerful production station wagon with a combustion engine in the world (the electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo can deliver up to 952 HP). It's likely the heaviest as well, as the M5 Touring adds extra weight compared to the sedan version, tipping the scales at an EU weight (including the driver) of 2,550 kilograms. As the folks from Bavaria would say, "A hefty beast." Let's take a closer look at this imposing vehicle.

Exterior/Dimensions

The M5 Touring matches the M5 Sedan in size, stretching to 5,096 mm in length and 1,970 mm in width. This makes it 36 mm longer and a significant 70 mm wider than the standard 5 Series Touring, although the height remains consistent at 1,516 mm.

Visually, just like the sedan, it doesn't take any prisoners and really shows off. The front wheel arches are pulled out by 75mm and the rear ones by 48mm. The aggressive look is achieved with a massive central air intake at the front, while at the back, the prominently designed roof spoiler and a rather boldly drawn, two-part diffuser take on that role. The latter is split by a central bar that features a red marker light similar to those on their race cars.

The vehicle is equipped with large dual exhaust tips finished in standard black chrome. It is mounted on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels, fitted with tires sized 285/40 ZR20 at the front and 295/35 ZR21 at the back, right from the factory.

Motivation

The combination of a heavy weight and a new propulsion system is stirring debate. Was it necessary to integrate the hefty PHEV propulsion that adds over 400 kilos of extra weight? It appears there was no other choice. A pure V8 engine would not have met the power levels of the previous M5 due to emission regulations, which would have been unacceptable to customers. It turns out, we're to blame. Or at least those among us who have the means to afford a 727 horsepower powerhouse family vehicle.

The combined power output of 727 horsepower is produced by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 585 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque, and an electric motor contributing an additional 197 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque. The electric motor's nominal torque is effectively increased to 450 Nm at the transmission input through a preliminary gear ratio.

The vehicle continues to utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission, equipped with Launch Control and a Boost feature that activates between speeds of 30 to 150 km/h. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system in the Touring model includes a rear-biased 4WD Sport option and a mode dedicated to pure rear-wheel driving. Additionally, it features an electronically controlled differential lock in the rear axle transmission, which optimally distributes power between the rear wheels as needed.

Despite being equipped with an electric battery pack, the performance figures are quite impressive. The M5 Touring can go from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, hit 0-200 km/h in 11.1 seconds, and reach a top speed of up to 305 km/h.

A lithium-ion battery is embedded flat within the undercarriage, offering a usable capacity of 18.6 kWh. BMW claims the vehicle can travel up to 67 kilometers on electric power alone. Charging can be done at a rate of up to 11 kW, allowing the battery to go from empty to fully charged in just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Chassis

The M5 Touring relies on a similar setup to the sedan, featuring a double wishbone front axle, a five-link rear axle, an adaptive M steel spring suspension, and an extensive bracing package for both the front and rear sections to enhance longitudinal and torsional rigidity. BMW also highlights the exceptionally rigid connection of the suspension to the body and the steering to the front axle carrier.

Compared to the conventional 5-series models, significant adjustments have been made to the axle kinematics. There are modified control arms, more rigid bearings, and improved elastokinematics on both axles.

Photo Gallery: BMW M5 (1985-2024)

The M5 features a steering system that is rigidly attached to the axle. For the first time, due to its size and mass, the decision was made to incorporate rear-wheel steering with a steering angle of up to 1.5 degrees.

The series comes equipped with what's called an M Compound brake, featuring 6-piston calipers in the front and a single-piston floating caliper at the back. There's also an optional ceramic brake available, which can reduce the vehicle's weight by 25 kilograms.

Interior

Stepping inside, one is immediately struck by the vibrant and outgoing design, provided that's the preference. The images showcase the newly available metallic leather with a subtle shimmer effect, adorning the upper part of the seating and the doors. A black interior comes as standard. There are also three two-tone color options to choose from. By 2025, two additional two-tone configurations will be added to the selection.

Recently, M GmbH has started to design their steering wheels with a flat bottom. As usual, the steering wheel has a thick grip and, of course, includes the signature red M buttons that allow the driver to access pre-configured driving mode settings. The paddle shifters are designed in black with red highlights.

Standard features include a four-zone automatic climate control, a stationary air conditioning system, and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

The latest M5 Touring also features the Operating System 8.5 for user control. It comes equipped with the familiar Curved Display, which includes a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, both adorned with M-specific graphics and displays, as is the head-up display.

Become an Expert on the M5

When considering a touring vehicle, the key factors are storage capacity and towing capability. The boot space ranges from 500 to 1,630 liters, it can hold up to 100 kilograms on the roof, and similar to the M5 sedan, it can tow up to 2,000 kilograms.

Pricing/Market Launch

The latest BMW M5 Touring will be available at dealerships starting from November 2024, coinciding closely with the launch of the M5 Sedan. Key markets include Germany, the USA (indeed, the wagon is actually making its way across the Atlantic), the UK, Canada, and Switzerland.

The exceptional demand for the M3 Touring since its 2022 release, which has surpassed the popularity of Taylor Swift concert tickets, should inspire optimism. Despite this, new orders still require a considerable wait. The M5 Touring's pricing begins at 146,000 Euros. Rivals are yet to make a move, but we expect the Mercedes-AMG E 63 Estate to debut no sooner than next year, while the new Audi RS 7 Avant likely won't appear until 2026.

Photo Gallery: BMW M5 (1985-2024)

Most Read

LATEST ARTICLES

MOST RECENT ARTICLES

About this Article