BMW has moved on from early development mules to regular prototypes for the next generation 5-Series Touring that will join the sedan and GT body styles.
We expect the Touring to arrive in the market a few months after the G30 5-Series sedan in the first half of 2017, though, there’s no indication at this point that BMW will offer the estate in North America – the last time we got a 5er Touring was with the previous E60 gen model built from 2003 to 2010.
Given that the current F10 (sedan) and F11 (Touring) models have already reached regular-wheelbase E32 7-Series levels in size, there’s no reason for a bigger body, so their G30 successors should maintain the same footprint.
The good news is that both models will undergo a diet losing around 100kg or 220 pounds, and much of that can be attributed to the sophisticated new platform shared with the 7-Series, which combines aluminum, magnesium, high-strength steel and composite carbonfibre parts.
Standing back and looking at these pictures, it quickly becomes evident that the G30 will evolve the current car’s styling without really breaking the F10/F11 mold. The car’s front and rear ends are partially masked in production parts, but the overall sense we get is one of familiarity with less rounded edges.
Power for the new 5-Series will come from BMW’s latest turbocharged four-cylinder and straight-six gasoline and diesel units, a new turbo V8 for the 550i, plus a plug-in hybrid version that will make use of the X5 xDrive40e’s setup pairing a 240hp 2.0L to 111hp electric motor and an 8sp automatic.
On the M side of the range, recent rumors speak of a quad-turbocharged M550d diesel producing 400 or more horses, and of course, an M5 with a twin-turbo V8 that could go over 600hp – however, it’s unknown if BMW will offer a Touring version of the car.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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