America’s BMW enthusiasts have long lamented the fact that they missed out on some of the rarest and most coveted M5 Touring models. The E34 M5 Touring, the E61 with its V-10 engine, and the smaller M3 Touring have all been forbidden fruits in the United States. However, it seems that all is forgiven as BMW is gearing up to introduce the new G99 M5 Touring with a US visa.
The unveiling of the G99 M5 Touring is set to take place on August 15 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where a one-off version of the sedan will also be showcased. This third-ever M5 Touring is poised to go into production in November, with deliveries expected to begin in the spring of the following year.
Under the hood, the M5 Touring is likely to feature the same plug-in hybrid V-8 setup as its sedan counterpart. This configuration is expected to deliver a robust 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, courtesy of a twin-turbo 4.4-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. The lithium-ion battery pack is anticipated to provide an estimated 25 miles of electric range, though the wagon’s slightly heavier weight may affect this figure.
Despite its impressive powertrain, the M5 Touring is expected to be on the heavier side, potentially impacting its performance compared to the sedan. While the sedan can sprint to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package, the wagon may not achieve the same level of performance.
As for pricing, it is speculated that the M5 Touring will command a premium over the sedan, which starts at $120,675 before options. A fully loaded M5 sedan can cost up to $141,375, indicating that the Touring variant may come with a higher price tag.
In the meantime, BMW enthusiasts in the US won’t have to wait until spring to get their hands on an M5, as the first cars are set to be delivered this November. The unique one-off M5 will be the first to make its way to North America, arriving at the end of October. Ultimately, the introduction of the M5 Touring with a US visa marks an exciting development for American BMW fans who have long desired a high-performance wagon from the iconic automaker.