INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE, STYLE TRANSFORM 2026 BMW M5 INTO AN EXCEPTIONAL WAGON
The long wait for one European high-performance wagon is finally over. Built at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany, the much-cherished and awaited race-bred M5 Touring is now available in the United States. And it arrives with some impressive figures – 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds with top speed capped at 155 mph!
This remarkable performance is attributed to a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged/intercooled V-8 engine that blasts of an astonishing 717 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 738 pounds-feet of torque @ 1800 rpm. It is coupled with a 14.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor that can take the super-fast ride for nearly 25 miles in pure plug-in mode. This missile-like beast is mated to an 8-speed M sport auto gearbox, resulting in a quiet and responsive drivetrain. Punch it and this power-at-all-times engine takes off like a rocket toward its destination. An adaptive M suspension soaks up bumps and maintains equilibrium to keep you on the road and out of trouble in hairy situations. Also providing good feedback when the car is hustled along is a razor-sharp M Servotronic electric power steering with an excellent on-center feel. Like to take your ride to the track and go drifting? Switch over to rear-wheel drive from standard xDrive AWD.
The horizontal double bar of the by-now familiar black twin-kidney grille hosts an M5 emblem while flanked by LED headlights. Step back along the wagon-long roof and once again the car insignia is prominent on the trunk as well as the rear black M quad exhaust tailpipes. Get behind the wheel and you will find a massive, curved one-display of a 12.3-inch digital driver gauge and a 14.9-inch infotainment display. Like to play games and stream video? Just park the M5 and enjoy the extracurricular activities in coziness. What are those red M1 and M2 buttons on the flat-bottomed steering wheel? Well, those enable you to program the chassis, engine, transmission and steering for a more energetic driving experience. Eye-catching M colors, light blue, violet and red are visible throughout, especially on front seat backrests, digital cluster and steering wheel draw attention. Red accents for the M buttons on the robust three-spoke flat-bottomed leather steering wheel are eye-catching. The 40/20/40 rear seat can be folded down to eke 57 cubic feet of space, plenty for several suitcases in the cargo hold. Other goodies include front ventilated/cooled power seats, four-zone auto a/c, panoramic roof, Bowers & Wilkins wound system, wireless phone charger/Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Alcantara suede headliner, ambient lights, etc.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag along with dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution, rearview camera, front/rear park distance control, electro-mechanical limited slip differential, active driving assist (lane departure warning, blind spot monitor/detect, rear-cross traffic alert, city collision mitigation), forward collision warning, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitor are standard.
With a base price of $121,500, the sporty, swift and alluring wagon is an enthusiast driver’s dream come true. If you can afford to look past the astronomical price tag, the M5 Touring is a remarkable performer, offering up a degree of style and spirited performance.
M5 TOURING
Tires: P285/40ZR 20 front, 295/35ZR21 rear
Wheelbase: 118.3 inches
Length: 200.6 inches
Width: 77.6 inches
Height: 59.7 inches
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons
City/hwy/comb: 11/17/13 mpg; comb gas+electric = 54 MPGe
Weight: 5,530 pounds
Price as tested: $140,775
Web site: www.bmw.com
Nitish S. Rele operates MotoringFlorida.com and Khaas Baat, and was an
automotive editor/columnist for the
Tampa Tribune. Email him at
motoringflorida@gmail.com
