On the morning of August 15, just before 11:00 a.m. local time in Pebble Beach, California, BMW finally lifted the curtain on the second M5 Touring. Painted in a pleasant shade of Isle of Man Green, the station wagon set off at a leisurely pace before coming to a stop in front of a sea of journalists waiting to take the first snapshots of the first BMW M5 Touring to come to the United States.
Leaked photos from a few days ago seem to have hit the nail on the head. In fact, they could well show the same vehicle. The M5 Touring features a uniquely aggressive front and rear bumper design and dramatically flared fenders that distinguish it from other versions of the 5 Series Touring. Like the vehicle in the leaked photos, it also has wheels borrowed from the M5 sedan, setting it apart even further.
At the rear, an aggressive black diffuser, unique taillights and a distinctive roof spoiler give it an edge that makes it clear that this is no ordinary estate car. Quad exhaust tips, aerodynamic wing mirrors and unique side skirts give the car a healthy dose of M heritage. Overall, there’s nothing too unexpected about the M5 Touring – but that’s fine with us.
While we haven’t had a peek inside yet, we expect a familiar interior. It mirrors what we already see in the M5 sedan, so expect things like M1 and M2 buttons alongside a thicker steering wheel and seats that hold the driver and passengers a little better than the standard car. Of course, the Touring model will also offer more cargo space — about 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
The new M5 Touring aims to take on the current segment leader, Audi’s RS6 Avant. While the BMW offers significantly more power and presence, some buyers might be swayed by the Audi’s more traditional looks, lower curb weight, less complex powertrain and devilishly delicious exhaust note. All we know is that we’re glad to finally – officially – see an M wagon in the US.
