The next-generation BMW 5 Series has been in development over the last few months and we’ve seen plenty of prototypes being tested on public roads. Today marks the first time we can show you photos of the new 5 as a station wagon marketed as the 5 Series Touring in Europe. It’s a test vehicle that’s heavily camouflaged, but there are interesting facts we can share already about the new estate.
Here’s a static prototype captured by our photographer sitting next to a camouflaged Mini, which looks like a two-door Rolls-Royce, presumably a Specter. Our spies tell us that the cart remains static throughout the day so we only have a few photos of this. That said, however, the shot shows the 5 Series Touring not looking all that different compared to the current model and that’s probably good news.
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Even though the station wagon was moribund in the United States, there was still a market for these practical vehicles on the Old Continent. Thankfully, BMW will be retaining the traditional wagon shape for the new 5er as seen in these photos, which likely means practicality won’t be sacrificed in the name of fancier style. In an era of odd-looking SUVs like the iX, we’re pleased to see the Bavarian company continue its legacy line of family cars.
The Electrified Vehicle sticker on the front door tells us this is most likely a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It could also be the rumored Touring i5 – a luxury all-electric wagon from Munich – but that’s unconfirmed for now. Plus, there’s what looks like a fuel cap on the rear right fender and this is the position where the fuel cap on all previous combustion-powered 5 Series prototypes was.
The future looks interesting for the 5 Series Touring. A hybrid model is definitely in development and the mentioned i5 Touring could join in as the first mainstream electric luxury car if we don’t count the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. Interestingly, BMW recently hinted that it is planning a competitor to the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-AMG E63 in the form of the M5 Touring.
