BMW shocked the automotive world recently by confirming rumors about an RS6 Avant rival. The Bavarian automaker showed camouflaged photos of their all-new 2025 M5 Touring, a sports wagon believed to feature the hybrid V8 powertrain from the XM flagship.
For a long time, BMW was happy to let Audi sell all the high-performance wagons. However, it’s recently introduced the M3 Touring, which is easily the fastest and coolest car in its segment. But we really didn’t expect the 2025 BMW M5 Touring because such a car hasn’t been available since 2010.
That’s right, we’re talking about the one and only V10-powered E61. It’s one of the performance cars which popularized drive modes while setting a new performance benchmark for wagons, so we’re glad it’s back. However, the new 2025 BMW M5 Touring, which we believe will be called the G99, will be different in many ways.
When the new M5 debuts
The G90 M5 sedan (based on G60 5 Series) will come out first, likely as a 2024 model, and it will be the first electrified M5 in BMW’s history. Adding electric motors to an already heavy car is risky. Reviews have been highly critical of the new AMG models, the C63 and S63, for the way they deliver their power. And while Audi’s hybrids aren’t ready, the Bentley powertrains don’t suggest a home run.
The sedan will debut in July 2024 and the M5 wagon will enter production in November 2024. The 2025 BMW M5 Touring will likely be the first hybrid high-performance German wagon. The RS6 will retain its current V8 for a few more years, while the E63 is going hybrid quickly, but likely packs a six-cylinder engine.
2025 M5 Touring design
Based on the official spy photos, Kolesa has compiled this set of renderings which we believe accurately depict the 2025 BMW M5 Touring. It’s a handsome-looking thing, with a widebody design and aggressive lines.
While styling is subjective, we believe BMW’s buyers will want the M5 Touring. Not only does it lack the M3’s beaver teeth, but it’s also likely the last new V8 performance wagon from Germany.
How much power the M5 Touring has
Reports haven’t been too consistent about the power output of the M5 Touring. However, BMW wants to set Nurburgring lap records, so the maximum output is needed to compensate for the added weight of the batteries.
The bulk of the power will come from a 4.4-liter V8 engine which will be helped by a 194 hp electric motor. The battery pack is likely the same 29 kWh one fitted to the XM. Autocar has claimed that the maximum output will be 790 hp (800 PS), while Car and Driver said in February that a 725 hp plug-in hybrid wagon could be coming to America.
Weight is a huge problem with these hybrid performance cars. When the battery is depleted, they feel slower because of the bulk. The 2024 M5 sedan is said to be 440 pounds heavier than the older model, and the M5 Touring will be heavier still. However, the RS6 and E63 are already heavier than their BMW counterpart.
We believe that the M5 Touring will indeed be available in the United States. High-performance vehicles are basically the only segment where wagons sell since the price isn’t really an issue. When it goes on sale, the 2025 M5 Touring should retail for $140,000. However, it might go over $200,000, for top models.