It’s hard to believe, but the last time BMW treated the world to a massively powerful M5 Touring was back in 2007. But 17 years later, the German marque has righted those wrongs with perhaps the most powerful example ever.
Hooray for the 2024 BMW M5 Touring (codenamed G99 for all you car nerds out there), an insane hybrid station wagon (or station wagon, if you live in the US) with a downright ridiculous 717 horsepower from the combination of a roaring 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor/18.6 kWh battery pack.
BMW has ensured that owners can drive silently on electricity for up to 67 kilometres (42 miles), with the option of plugging the car in and recharging the onboard battery cells, or throwing common sense to the wind and making the most of 1,000 Nm (737 lb ft) of torque.
This all adds up to a 0-62mph time of just 3.6 seconds, or 0-124mph in just over 11 seconds, as well as an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Tick a clever option and that speed limit jumps to 189mph. The school run won’t know what hit it.
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Other notable features include adaptive all-wheel drive, which you can select for low-traction situations, or switch off when you want the full power of the 700+ horsepower rear-wheel drive system.
Then there’s BMW’s rear-wheel steering system, which cleverly disguises the car’s 5,096mm (16ft) length by making low-speed manoeuvres sharper. Plus, there’s adaptive suspension to firm things up (hello track days) or make the ride more comfortable (getting babies to sleep).
All this adds up to a lot of weight, and critics are already complaining that the car’s 2,560 kg (5,634 lbs) mass is almost as much as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
But BMW has hit back with force… lots and lots of force. What’s more, it claims the heavy-duty hybrid system will not only help owners deal with the astronomical fuel bills of driving a V8 these days, but will also aid in those stealthy, silent escapes when the bark of a ravenous combustion engine isn’t appropriate.
A wise purchase
BMW says the new M5 Touring will start from £112,500 in the UK, while in North America it will cost $121,500, plus $1,175 for destination and handling. Australian customers will have to pay $263,900.
That’s a hefty sum for any growing family, but this hybrid estate looks to deliver stunning performance with at least a dash of practicality – whether that’s its 1,630 litres of flexible load capacity, the ability to tow large trailers or the ability to cruise silently for around 40 miles (64km) of emissions-free driving.
Oh, and road tax will be cheaper in some parts of the world, thanks to CO2 emissions of just 39g/km. Low-emission zones will be no problem and the German giant says it can achieve 166.2mpg with careful management.
Make note of these points, because they’ll come in handy when you want to convince your partner to trade in his boring old SUV for a good dose of German muscle.
