The fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series Touring has been released and if you’re looking for what BMW describes as a “upper mid-range touring car” then you’re search is probably over … well it will be when it reaches Australia.
BMW suggests that the long bonnet, short overhangs and, the longest wheelbase in it’s segment combined with a steeply inclined roofline all go together to give the BMW 5 Series Touring an elegance that others in the segment just can’t match. And there’s no doubt that this is a very classy looking station wagon.
Ride and Handling
The BMW 5 Series Touring features pneumatic suspension and automatic self-leveling on the rear axle as standard while Optional Dynamic Driving Control, Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are options that could be hard to pass on. The optional Dynamic Driving Control allows drivers to set up the vehicle’s suspension to suit their individual requirements.
Engine Choices
The new 5 Series Touring comes with your choice of two straight-six petrol engines, a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder diesel with power outputs ranging from 135kW for the four-cylinder diesel through to 225kW for the bigger of the two straight-six petrol engines and 180kW for the six-cylinder diesel.
All engines comply with the EU5 emission requirements and the four-cylinder diesel comes with Auto Start Stop as standard. Regardless of which engine option you choose you then have the option of BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
The new BMW 5 Series Touring comes with a full suite of features to make driving more of a pleasure than a chore. There’s Parking Assist, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit info, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with people detection and a Heads-up Display.
I guess it won’t be long before having a human driver is downgraded to an optional extra.
There’s no word yet on when the new BMW 5 Series Touring will reach Australia but it looks like a vehicle that is definitely worth waiting for.
