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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