Despite the fact that there have been six generations of BMW M5, with a seventh one on the horizon, solely two of them have been out there as a extra sensible Touring mannequin. This meant that for the previous couple of a long time, BMW’s rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz have had the efficiency wagon section all to themselves. Followers of the Bavarian model have all the time thought that BMW ought to supply a rival for the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG fashions and now could be a kind of uncommon events when the producer has listened to them (and doubtless the market, which has modified within the final decade) because it prepares to launch the G99 BMW M5 Touring.

E34 BMW M5 Touring

BMW’s first M5 wagon was the E34-based mannequin launched in 1992, together with the Touring mannequin for that era 5 Sequence. It appeared lots like its non-M siblings, nevertheless it packed the mighty S38B38 3.8-liter beneath its hood. It bought the upgraded engine from the revised 1991 E34 M5, which initially featured a 3.5-liter model of the engine with the code title S38B36. BMW upped the capability from 3.5 to three.8 liter and energy was elevated from 311 to 335 horsepower, whereas torque went up from 266 pound-feet (360 Nm) to 295 pound-feet (400 Nm).

These have been outstanding numbers for an early Nineteen Nineties household wagon, which may dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, and it needed to be pegged again on the prime finish as a result of it might exceed the 155 mph (250 km/h) gents’s settlement pace. It’s the mix of those efficiency numbers, the unmistakable bark of the straight-six, and the improved dealing with that made the E34 M5 a totally distinctive wagon expertise for its day.

For the M5, BMW fitted stiffened and upgraded suspension, in addition to a limited-slip differential that made it notably sharper and extra entertaining to drive than different variations. Nonetheless, again within the early Nineteen Nineties, when it was launched, folks apparently weren’t prepared for such a automobile, and it didn’t promote properly in any respect, solely managing to promote 891 automobiles, in comparison with over 11,000 E34 M5 sedans. Its rarity makes the E34 M5 Touring significantly dearer than the sedan variant for those who have been to purchase one as we speak.

E61 BMW M5 Touring

Due to the mannequin’s low gross sales numbers, BMW determined towards making an M5 Touring based mostly on the V8-powered E39 M5, which is regarded by many followers as the one greatest M automotive ever produced, nevertheless it gave the inexperienced mild for one to be made based mostly on the subsequent era E60 mannequin. The E60 M5 debuted in 2007 and remained in manufacturing till 2010.

It was based mostly on the E61 wagon, which is a automobile from the Chris Bangle period of BMW design, and it bears all of the logos. Nonetheless, it was the primary M5 to characteristic flared fenders and extra distinguished wheel arches that accommodated a wider entrance and rear monitor, which made it look fairly completely different from the usual 5 wagons of the time. The craziest factor about it was not the way it appeared, although, however fairly what powered it.

Underneath the hood, this era M5 had an absolute screamer of an engine (actually), the 100-horsepower-per-liter S85 5-liter V10. With its uneven firing order, it offered a soundtrack solely matched by the Porsche Carrera GT because it accelerates to its 8,250 rpm redline. Its most energy of 500 horsepower arrived barely decrease, at 7,750 rpm, and you continue to needed to rev it to six,100 rpm for it to supply its peak torque score of 384 pound-feet (520 Nm).

In contrast to the outdated E34 that solely got here with a six-speed guide, BMW supplied the E60 and E61 M5 completely with its SMG-III automated guide transmission, which was nice while you have been actually on it, nevertheless it wasn’t the perfect while you have been simply cruising round otherwise you needed to set off from a slight incline. For the US market, BMW additionally supplied a six-speed guide as a no-cost possibility, however this was by no means formally out there in Europe.

Nonetheless, the E61 M5 Touring was by no means formally offered within the US, so all M5 wagons from this era get the SMG transmission. Of the 20,589 models produced over its five-year manufacturing run, simply 1,025 examples have been Tourings, which is an excellent smaller proportion of the entire than within the case of the unique M5 Touring. That’s why you might have by no means seen the wagon in actual life whereas having seen numerous sedans.

G99 BMW M5 Touring Coming Quickly

We’re completely happy BMW is bringing again the M5 wagon with the G99, though it’s once more making some necessary adjustments to the components—in all probability a very powerful adjustments within the mannequin’s historical past. The G99 can be all-wheel drive solely, plug-in hybrid solely, and it is going to be the largest and tallest M5 Touring so far. It’s additionally going to be essentially the most highly effective, that includes a model of the plug-in powertrain from the mighty XM tremendous SUV. Being all-wheel drive-only, it is going to be extra of a direct rival to the favored Audi RS6, and it is going to be fascinating to see how the 2 fashions will examine head-to-head.