BMW 5 SERIES TOURING RANGE
The Five Series Tourings Time May Well Have Come. Andy Enright Explains Why
Although they are loath to admit it,
BMW are quite aware that the styling of the latest generation Five Series saloon has received something of a mixed reception. Therefore if something could be done about the controversial rear end without losing corporate face and in turn prop up sales against the Mercedes E Class, that would have to be something BMW dealers would welcome with open arms. In many ways, the answer to their prayers has proved to be the Five Series Touring.
In the past, this model has received a lukewarm reception in the UK. Over on the continent, the Touring version of the Five has been far more popular. In the Nineties, the Germans even got a ripsnorting M5 version for the family man who wanted to stick the pooch to the rear window under hard acceleration. Over here, the Five Series has targeted the corporate buyer a lot more aggressively but high end estate cars have in some cases tended to be viewed by companies with about the same affection as a visit from the Inland Revenue.
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However, for a number of reasons that have everything to do with the shifting horizons in this sector of the market, this latest generation version of the Five Series Touring is proving to be far more successful. The styling is a major plus. The Touring model looks a good deal closer to what most peoples approximation of a post millennial Five Series should be like; sleek, sporting and aggressive. The stylistic bloat above the rear wheel arches of the saloon model has been excised in the Touring and although many are now getting accustomed to the saloon model, this particular observer feels that the Touring version is plain better looking.
It follows in a line of cars like the Alfa 156 Sportwagon and the
Jaguar X-TYPE Estate that are a good deal slinkier than the saloons that spawned them. Whats more, research has shown that estate buyers are now younger than saloon buyers; a fact that will not have escaped BMWs attention. Another reason why the Touring has been performing above expectations in the sales charts is the revised perception of the Five Series. Yes, its a decent steer but its no longer by far and away the best drivers car in its class.
Whereas once an estate version of this sporting icon seemed a little incongruous, now that the Five Series has become a little more sensible, the Touring model seems the natural choice for those with an active lifestyle.
"Now that the Five Series has become a little more sensible, the Touring model seems the natural choice for those with an active lifestyle."
Thats not to say the Touring is in any way dull. Not with the line up of engines
BMW are bringing to the table in any case. Various powerplants are available; the 174bhp 523i, the 215bhp 525i, the 258bhp 530i, the 333bhp 545i, as well as a trio off diesels, the 177bhp 525d, the 218bhp 530d and the 272bhp 535d. All the petrol-powered units use BMWs latest Valvetronic system that gives hefty torque low down and outright power at the top of the rev range.
Diesel buyers can order the 535d with a massive 272bhp but arguably, the star of the show is the 530d. Despite being virtually as quick as the 530i petrol saloons sprint to 60 the diesel car stops the watch at an amazing 7.0 seconds it will still go on to 150mph and return over 39mpg. It boats a torque figure of 500Nm (a
Ferrari 360 Modena makes 372Nm) which means that it feels awesomely muscular when accelerating.
There are two trim levels as well. That means SE and Sport, the later providing M5 looks without the associated price tag. Recent specification enhancements have seen Park Distance Control, an auto-dimming mirror and 17-inch alloy wheels added to the standard equipment tally for all models, with prices now starting from £28,690. Measuring 4.
48m in length, the Five Series Touring is a good deal longer than the previous generation model as well as marginally wider and higher. Theres 3cm more shoulder room and 4.5cms of additional rear passenger knee room as a result with increased headroom for all occupants. Whats more, load capacity has been raised to 535 litres with the 60/40 split folding rear seats in place and a hefty 1,650 litres with the seats folded down an increase of 125 litres over the old car.
Like that estate, the latest model features a split bootlid with the rear window opening separately for the easy loading of small items. Customers can also opt for a fully automatic tailgate operation with a press on the key fob opening the hatch and simultaneously retracting the boot load cover. Neat. Theres a lockable floor panel that conceals a 35-litre area for the spare wheel and tyre, but if run-flat tyres are chosen, this is converted to additional storage space for valuables.
Much thought has gone into the way electronic systems blend with good old manual ones. BMW have taken the notion that electronics should aid rather than replace manual systems and the active steering system is a good example. Rather than developing the sort of pure drive-by-wire systems that often isolate the driver from road feedback, BMW has instead developed a system that maintains a link between the front wheels and the steering wheel but which adjusts the power assistance dependent upon speed and yaw rate, promising quick turn-in when you punch the 5 Series into a corner but without the accompanying nervousness at high speed that many such cars demonstrate. This system is networked to an improved + version of the Dynamic Stability Control system, reducing the interventions DSC has to make.
The Five Series Touring has been useful for BMW in mopping up those who were possibly a little unsure of the saloon models styling. A good deal more conventional looking but still something of a looker, the Touring has also been granted the cream of the engine crop. Those with or without an active lifestyle, please form an orderly queue.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 5-Series Touring range
PRICES: £28,690-£46,620 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 15-18
CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-274g/km
PERFORMANCE: [530d] 0-60mph 7.0s / Max Speed 150mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [530d] (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and window airbags / ABS / DSC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4480/1850/1490mm
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