BMW Teases M5 Wagon Hinted for American Market
BMW has been teasing the next-generation M5, specifically the long-roof wagon variant known as the M5 Touring.
This is a little odd. While European sport wagons were once relatively popular in the United States, it has become increasingly rare to see them migrating beyond the home market. But there are rumors that the be-hatched M5 will be sold stateside, enthralling automotive enthusiasts that we can only hope are genuinely interested in buying a few.
When crossovers started to become popular, some driving devotees fell into a deep depression as the automotive world had stopped making sense. However, whenever there’s another sporty wagon on the horizon, hope returns and the future looks a little brighter.
While some of the earliest crossovers boasted superior off-road capabilities, many were little more than lifted versions of station wagons. Later examples were basically softened SUVs and the entire segment fell into this weird place where the perception of ruggedness became more relevant than what the vehicles could actually do. Meanwhile, driving dynamics fell into the toilet as cars continued getting heavier and the typical crossover ride dictated a higher center of gravity.
That’s not to suggest crossovers don’t have their place. With North American potholes getting deeper every single year, purchasing an automobile with some added suspension travel might not be the worst idea. There are even a few crossovers that are fun to drive (e.g. Mazda CX-30 or Hyundai Kona N). But the really practical ones tend to be a bit of a snooze and wagons manage to blend versatility without sacrificing on-road dynamics a much better. This concept is exactly what the M5 Touring will be chasing down, adding performance until the wagon is teetering on the edge of insanity.
BMW has only released camouflage photos of the prototype, so there’s a limited amount of information to be gleaned until the manufacturer starts releasing spec sheets. But the car will undoubtedly ride on the same platform that’s being used for the all-new 5 Series G61 wagon and receive a host of upgrades to ensure it’s a real monster.
Teaser photos show the car getting some fender flares (guaranteeing a wider track) and a quad exhaust setup (indicating a juicier motor). The M5 also seems to boast a set of reasonably thick Michelin Pilot Sport tires to help maximize grip.
With the brand having already confirmed that M5 models will utilize a hybrid powertrain, everyone seems to be expecting the model to adopt the 4.4-liter V8 found in the hideous BMW XM. As a plug-in hybrid, the SUV boasts a combined 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque in its top trim. While the base XM produces a more modest 644 horsepower, rumors have suggested that the M5 will launch with at least 700 hp.
While the 2024 5 Series has entered production, details on the M5 sedan are yet to arrive and BMW suggested we’ll have to wait until 2024 to see the M5 wagon released. Your author is just glad that there will be alternatives to the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon, Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo, and Audi RS6 Avant. Though it would still be nice if there were a manufacturer out there interested in building a hardcore sport wagon for under $100,000.
[Images: BMW]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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This got a mention from Sean McElroy yesterday, on Autoline Daily.
Since overpriced 700hp toys barely able to bridge neighbouring gas stations in the US, are such poster children for the utility of wagons and all......