The new BMW 5 Series Touring, from £69,040

BMW has revealed its sixth generation 5 Series Touring which features larger dimensions, modern interior design updates and for the first time ever, the option of an all-electric model.

That being said, a selection of options has been produced at BMW’s Dingolfing plant and the new 5 Series Touring will be available in different trim levels including Sport Edition, M Sport, and M Sport Pro. These can then be applied to three different models.

The cheaper launch model is the i5 eDrive40, which runs on a single motor and at £69,040 gives you between 300 and 348 miles of range and a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds thanks to 340bhp.

A step up from that is the dual-motor i5 M60 which can travel up to 314 miles on one charge and a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds. The 601bhp M60 will cost you £99,090.

Released later this year, and currently without a price, is the plug-in hybrid 530e 5 Series Touring which pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 299bhp. An electric range of between 52 and 60 miles is possible and it will do 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds.

The sixth-generation model is bigger than the previous, fifth-generation 5 Series Touring, launched in 2017. Compared to its predecessor, it is 97 millimetres longer (5,060 millimetres), 32 millimetres wider (1,900 millimetres) and 17 millimetres taller (1,515 millimetres). It also has the longest wheelbase in its class, increasing by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

Looking at the interior, ahead of the drive lies a Veganza two-spoke steering wheel alongside a stretched ‘Interaction Bar’, Curved Display and Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system in the new BMW 5 Series Touring is complemented by a range of digital services. Safety features such as Parking Assistant, Trailer Assistant and Reversing Assist Camera come as standard, while there is also the option of Parking Assistant Professional, automated parking and manoeuvring the car up to 200 metres away using your smartphone.

The increased size of the new 5 Series Touring means noticeably more leg, shoulder and elbow room when sitting in the new sports seats which are fitted as standard. However, what most people want predominantly with an estate car is more boot space and the maximum cargo load now stands at a whopping 1,700 litres (with the seats folded down).

words: Mike Booth
pictures: BMW (UK) Ltd