M5 Touring? M5 Touring! BMW Launches a Fast Wagon for America

If you happen to be at Pebble Beach today rather than reading this bit of news someplace other than Pebble Beach, then it’s entirely possible you’ll get the chance to lay eyes on the all-new M5 Touring in the metal. It is there, in the salty seaside air, that BMW is introducing its new fast wagon. If, like the rest of us, you are not at Pebble Beach, then, well, here are some photos.

And just what are we looking at? Arguably the most exciting Bimmer to grace these shores in quite some time, that’s what. In the storied history of M5 production, which dates back to the E28 of 1985, only the second-generation and the fourth-generation models were accompanied by five-door Touring counterparts. Right around a thousand each of the 1992 E34 M5 wagons and the V-10–powered E61 M5 of 2007 were produced. But neither was ever offered for sale in America, much to the chagrin of lead-footed moms and dads from Maine to Hawaii. That’s what makes today’s news a bit gleeful, because, as reported back in April, the new M5 Touring is very much coming to America. Now, however, we have some juicy details.

The M5 Touring shares much with the seventh-gen G90 M5 that made its debut in July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, including the M Hybrid powertrain: a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is mated to an electric motor mounted in the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. That unit produces 194 hp and 207 lb-ft, for a total system output of 717 hp and 738 lb-ft. According to BMW, “The power electronics of the M Hybrid system ensure a seemless cooperation between the engine and electric motor at all times. As well as providing an electric boost effect under acceleration, the electric motor of the new BMW M5 Touring also performs a supporting role under steady loads, helping to reduce the engine’s fuel consumption.”

BMW claims a sprint from 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds for the 5530-pound car, along with a zero-emission range of 25 miles in full-electric mode. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, though the optional M Driver Package ups this to 190 mph.

The M Hybrid system is configurable with five different modes, including three standard (HYBRID, ELECTRIC, and eCONTROL) and two optional settings (DYNAMIC and DYNAMIC PLUS) best suited for track time.

A new feature of the Steptronic transmission, Boost Control, allows for near-instantaneous acceleration between 20 mph and 90 mph. The feature is activated by pulling on the left-side paddle shifter for more than one second, which sets the powertrain and chassis into their sportiest setting. Mash the throttle and “the M5 responds with immediate and truly ferocious acceleration.” Hang on, kids!

All of the M5 Touring’s power is sent to the road through BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The default setting is balanced AWD, while 4WD Sport shifts the bias more to the rear wheels, and 2WD shuts off power to the front wheels completely. As BMW states, “Sending drive exclusively to the rear wheels without interventions from the DSC [Dynamic Stability Control] system will appeal to experienced drivers who prefer an unfiltered performance experience, e.g. when executing drift maneuvers on the track.” In your station wagon.

Fully adjustable Adaptive M suspension is standard, as are six-piston fixed-caliper front and single-piston floating-caliper rear brakes. Up front they measure a whopping 16.1 inches, with 15.7-inch rears. Optional M Carbon ceramic brakes drop 55 pounds from the car’s curb weight.

The M5 Touring shares many exterior cues with its sedan friend, like that unmistakable kidney bean grille and deep and Darth Vader-y front air dam. Unique, of course, is the long roofline, with its Sky Lounge Panoramic roof and rear spoiler, with a tapering greenhouse beneath and quite athletic haunches that house 295/35 ZR21 tires in the rear; up front are 285/40 ZR20s. 

Inside, in addition to the iDrive controller, 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch displays, an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound stereo, lots of leather, and moody ambient lighting, you’ll find an estimated 17.7 cubic-feet of luggage space, which expands to a handy 57.6 (estimated) with the rear seats folded.

Like the M5 sedan, the 2025 M5 Touring goes on sale in late 2024. Base MSRP will be $121,500 plus $1175 destination fees. Expect a more detailed first drive report if and when we get our hands on one.