BMW’s new 5-series Touring has been spied in Germany ahead of it going on sale next year.
BMW is set to unveil the saloon version later this month, but we’re likely to have to wait until next year to see the estate version. As has been previously seen on spy shots of the saloon, the styling is much more subdued than the current-generation 5-series, which was designed by the controversial, and now departed, Chris Bangle.
The front-end is akin to the one seen on the new 5-series GT, while there are also plenty of styling cues from the current 3-series. It shares its platform with the GT, which is itself a cut down version of the one found on the 7-series.
BMW insiders have previously told Autocar that the benefits of sharing the platform across models has allowed it to apply many of the lessons it learned in developing the ride and handling in the 7-series and GT to the new 5-series.
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 model but thanks to weight-saving measures it should be no heavier. However, BMW has abondoned its use of lightweight aluminium on key parts of the car, opting instead for an all-steel arrangement.
Although this is officially because of the problems presented by working in aluminium and steel, cost-savings are also thought to have been a factor.
However, clever aerodynamic features are expected to help lower the car's drag, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions nevertheless.
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.
Photos: CarPix
