Updated: It has been reported that BMW Head of Design Domagoj Dukec has denied that that he confirmed the M5 Touring will be coming to the U.S. To be clear, Dukec hasn’t said the M5 Touring won’t be coming to the U.S., just that it’s not official as of now. The remainder of the story is unchanged.
With BMW Head of Design Domagoj Dukec confirming that the 2025 G99 M5 Touring is coming to U.S. dealerships this year, it has left many proper-roof-length enthusiasts asking, “Why can’t we also have the non-M5 G61 5 Series Touring?” Sorry, no such luck. The G99 M5 Touring’s rumored S68-based hybrid powertrain will be putting up big power numbers, similar to the XM Label Red, but as we know, with great power comes great responsibility. And in the automotive world that also means a great(er) price tag.
Not everyone can afford (or wants to pay) a premium for a new M5 Touring, but there are a hatch-load of other all-new 5 Series wagons available outside the U.S., with choices of diesel, gasoline-electric hybrid, and all-electric power plants. The G60/G61 platform is a versatile one, providing both performance and utility, and the latest sixth-generation 5 Series Touring delivers with more tech, efficiency, and space. BMW says, “A flexible drive architecture allows model variants with highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, plug-in hybrid systems and purely electric drive systems to be produced on a single production line at the BMW Group’s Dingolfing plant.”
At the top of the 5 Series Touring food chain, the all-electric i5 M60 xDrive produces 601 horsepower and 605 pound feet. It’ll do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, has a top speed of 143 mph, and a range of up to 314 miles—it certainly packs M performance. However, the i5 eDrive40 is no slouch either, making 340 horsepower and 317 pound feet. It’ll do 0-60 in just over six seconds and has a range of up to 348 miles.
The diesels come in 520d and 540d flavors with optional xDrive and a standard, somewhat-familiar 48V mild hybrid system. The 520d with an inline four will be available prior to the 540d’s inline six which is coming this summer. Both come standard with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Plug-in gas hybrids wearing 530e badges will also be available this summer.
The M Sport package comes with lots of fun bits. BMW reports that “an M Sport Suspension, an M Sport braking system, and the Adaptive Chassis Professional (standard in the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring) with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering and new lateral dynamics management are available as optional equipment.” The i5 M60 also unlocks the Adaptive M Chassis Professional with Active Roll Stabilization and Active Roll Comfort options. Surprisingly, sport seats are standard on all trims, but you can still opt for comfort seats as they are an option.
The interior receives a familiar BMW Curved display comprising 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch screens. A BMW head-up display with “Augmented View” is optional. The steering wheel has been redesigned with new controls, allowing drivers to make the most of the latest BMW Operating System.
Some other fun facts that typically aren’t advertised for U.S.-based wagons—are there actually any left?—include a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds made easy with Parking Assistant, Trailer Assistant, and Reversing Assistant Camera. If towing isn’t your thing, with the rear seats folded down there’s 60 cubic feet of interior space. If parking isn’t your thing, Parking Assistant Professional allows for you to control the vehicle for up to 200 meters from a smartphone.
Sadly, in case you missed it at the beginning, these non-M5 G61 Tourings are not coming to the U.S. But wouldn’t it be nice if they were? I suppose we’ll just have to “settle” for the G99 M5 Touring. —Mike Bevels
[Photos courtesy of BMW.]