BMW has finally pulled the covers off the highly anticipated M5 Touring, set to make its official debut on August 15 at Pebble Beach. The Bavarian automaker had previously teased the wagon’s arrival alongside the plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8-powered M5 Sedan, which launched on June 26.
Unfortunately, leaked images of the Isle of Man Green-clad G99 M5 Touring have already surfaced online courtesy of BMW Belgium Luxembourg. While sharing its front end with the sedan, the Touring’s practicality is enhanced by its extended cargo area. However, this added space comes at a weight penalty.
Though exact figures are unavailable, comparing the standard 5 Series Sedan and Touring suggests a weight increase of around 60 kilograms for the wagon. Given the M5 Sedan already tips the scales at a hefty 2.4 tons, the M5 Touring is likely to surpass the 2.5-ton mark, making it BMW’s heaviest M car yet, second only to the colossal BMW XM.
The BMW XM Label and M5 share a potent core: a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor.
However, the XM Label boasts a larger battery and extended wheelbase, culminating in a more substantial 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque compared to the M5’s 717 horses.
This added punch comes at a cost, though. While the XM Label’s electric motor promises swift urban acceleration and improved at-speed passing, its larger dimensions and battery drain on the driving range, particularly in the upcoming M5 Touring.
Despite the electric assistance, the M5, in both sedan and touring forms, lags behind its non-hybrid predecessor in terms of outright acceleration.
