BMW will launch the 5-series Touring at the Leipzig motor show in April.
Much of the styling will mirror the saloon’s and the two models are likely to share the same engines, too.
The boot space is likely to be increased from the maximum 1650 litres in the current car, but it is unlikely to grow beyond the 1950 litres of its biggest rival, the new Mercedes E-class estate.
As with the saloon, the Touring will be slightly larger than the outgoing mode,l but thanks to weight-saving measures it should be no heavier. However, BMW has abandoned its use of lightweight aluminium on key parts of the car, opting instead for an all-steel arrangement.
BMW is expected to introduce an M5 version of the Touring, as is the case with the current model. This would get a new version of BMW's twin-turbo V8 engine, rather than the V10 seen in the current car.
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Re: BMW confirms 5-series Touring
Matt, have you seen the new 5 in the flesh? Like you, I love the E60 Bangle 5 and was underwhelmed by images of its replacement that I saw on the web. In print on magazines, the F10 looks better. In the flesh, I was really impressed by it - a clear link with the E60's styling with a bit extra elegance added. I think the biggest problem the F10 faces is that it will never be seen to be as edgy and ground breaking simply because it's following on from the E60 - a car that was ahead of its time styling wise.
Re: BMW confirms 5-series Touring
And here it is virtually undisguised:
[IMG]http://i50.tinypic.com/14xexwx.jpg[/IMG]
Who would have guessed it'd share the same front of the saloon!
Re: BMW confirms 5-series Touring
Like many BMW Tourings these days (E46 and E91 3-series, E61 5-series), the vertical distance between the top of the registration plate recess and the bottom of the rear window is far too great. It looks heavy and gives you a ridiculously small rear window with a wiper which can't reach into any of the corners. Bring back the lovely glasshouse E39!