Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series Touring
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jan 5th 2009 at 1:29PM 
Who needs a 5-Series PAS when you've got one of these? The next BMW 5-Series Touring is out testing, and despite the fact that it looks as long as a football field and it's buried under cladding, it doesn't look awkward or ungainly – something that cannot exactly be said for the coming Mercedes E-Class wagon. The BMW wagon isn't expected to debut until the latter portion of 2010, but there are hints that the car will get the 400 hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 – perhaps for an M Touring assault on Mercedes' E63 AMG wagon? The family carrier is also hinted to offer turbodiesels and three transmission options: 8-speed automatic, 7-speed DKG, and 6-speed manual.
[Source: Global Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin 1:50PM (1/05/2009)
Looks pretty good--although I don't see how the new E-wagon is any more ungainly than the current one.
I'm disappointed that Mercedes is bailing on the C and E wagons for the US market, as some websites imply. I drive the previous C-class wagon and love it's size, volume, and it's a pleasure to drive. Seems to swallow more than 3-series wagons and X3's that some friends drive.
So maybe I'll go up a class and switch to the 5-wagon, if they bring it over.
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Crackberry Addict 1:54PM (1/05/2009)
DAMN! Looks like a F-ing 7 series Li! its massive.
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Torrent 2:08PM (1/05/2009)
The body style srsly needs to be updated.
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mkM3 2:17PM (1/05/2009)
"...there are hints that the car will get the 400 hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 – perhaps for an M Touring assault on Mercedes' E63 AMG wagon?"
This will be the same engine that the new 750i uses, and the 5 series that use it will no doubt be called the 550i sedan and 550i touring. The M versions will get the 500hp+ version of the engine that is in the X6 M.
Either way, almost certainly, neither the 550i touring nor the M5 touring will come to the US. That is how it is now, and I don't think there is much to indicate BMW will change their minds next time around.
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Kaveh 2:18PM (1/05/2009)
The rear looks wider, hopefully they are done with the Chevy tail lights.
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JF 3:13PM (1/05/2009)
Now that's a sporty looking people-mover. X5 and X6, eat your heart out.
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TigerMil 3:50PM (1/05/2009)
I love it. Looks like a Buick Roadmaster stationwagon in camo.
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Gridlock 5:51PM (1/05/2009)
Trivia - BMW built an M5 Tourer once before, for a board member.
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mkM3 8:47PM (1/05/2009)
Are you talking about an earlier model like an E39 or E34?
BMW has had a E60 M5 Touring on the market for a while now. It is a regular production car in Europe and other regions.
Gridlock 3:41AM (1/06/2009)
E39 sorry
P.V. 5:50PM (1/05/2009)
I like the fact that BMW is continuing with its wagons while Mercedes-Benz seems to slowly be giving up on its wagons.
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tuna 6:25PM (1/05/2009)
Don't let the camo fool you. The current iteration of the 5 sedan isn't that much different from what it replaces. This 5 touring won't be much different from the existing one. Both will still have the love it or hate it Bangle flare.
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calguy 11:23PM (1/05/2009)
I gotta say, used 'current model' 530xi wagons are a steal. $60,000 ish new in 2006 are about $25-28k now. That's a lot of car for about the price of a new Camry. The $1.99 cup holders and iCrash are the only drawbacks in my opinion.
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