Flagship estate returns as BMW South Africa prices M5 Touring
Its entry into the South African market extensively rumoured since the arrival of the M3 Touring last year, BMW South Africa has now officially detailed the returning M5 Touring as its second performance estate.
The first station wagon M5 since the V10-powered E65 made onto local soil in limited numbers 15 years ago, the newcomer joins the sedan in equal role as the first ever hybrid M5.
Tipping the scales at a reported 63 kg heavier than the sedan, the Touring carries over the combination of the 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 and an 18.6-kWh battery pack that powers a single 145kW/280Nm electric motor housed within the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.
Producing a combined 535kW/1 000Nm, the M5 Touring will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and hit a limited top speed of 305 km/h as per the otherwise optional M Driver's Package being fitted as standard.
Aside from the 70 km all-electric range, the M5 Touring also gets the same M Boost system as the sedan, which unlocks the full 535kW/1 000Nm in one burst for 10 seconds.
In addition, the boost setting also incorporates a pre-gearing setting in which the total output of the battery increases to 450 Nm.
For South Africa, the M5 Touring comes equipped as standard with the 20-inch at the front and 21-inch at the rear M-light alloy wheels, the glass panoramic roof and sun blinds, the M Carbon mirror caps, M Sport exhaust system and the M Sport seats.
Carried over from the comparative European model is the Adaptive M suspension, the Active M differential, M Active Steering and the rear axle steering system.
Able to have the xDrive all-wheel-drive system switched from 4WD to 4WD Sport and then to 2WD, the Touring further keeps hold of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14.9-inch infotainment system that makes-up with the Curved Display, the new M steering wheel, the augmented reality Head-Up Display and quad-zone climate control.
Confirmed options are the M carbon ceramic brakes with black brake calipers, and a trailer tow hitch.
Compared to the sedan, the Touring's biggest difference is more utility space as boot now accommodates 500-litres versus 466-litres. With the 40/20/40 split rear back folded down though, space increases to 1 630-litres.
Colours and price
Locally, the M5 Touring will have a choice of six leather upholstery options, carbon fibre or dark oak interior trim, and four colours; Storm Bay, Marina Bay Blue, Isle of Man Green and Frozen Deep Grey.
As with the sedan, the M5 Touring's sticker price includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan plus an eight-year/100 000 km battery warranty.
M5 – R2 765 000
M5 Touring – R2 795 000
NOW READ: New BMW M5 plug-in hybrid the pinnacle of German efficiency
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