Totally awesome--and the press model is a 6MT, therefore full of win. Tell me again why they made the stupid GT?

 

Just as the new sixth-generation BMW 5 Series sedan goes on sale in Europe, a new station wagon variant has been unveiled. Like past editions of the 5 Series Touring, this one is essentially the same as the sedan, only with the roof extending straight back to enclose a substantially larger cargo area.

All of the fancy new technology that we've already seen in the 5 Series Gran Turismo and sedan is carried over into the Touring. That includes the driver assistance systems like the surround-view cameras and parking assist. Underhood, BMW's twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 won't be available at launch, but a selection of gas and diesel four- and six cylinder engines will be offered. The range-topping 535i is powered by the new 300-horsepower 3.0-liter N55 twin-scroll turbo direct-injected inline-six.

Single-turbo versions of the 2.0-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter inline-six diesels are also available with 184 hp and 245 hp respectively. The four-cylinder 520d Touring gets an EU combined fuel economy rating of 45.2 miles per gallon (U.S.) with the 530d also scoring an impressive 36.8 mpg.

Unfortunately, it seems extremely unlikely that we will ever get to see any of these handsome new wagons given Americans' ongoing aversion to this body style. We'll just be forced to make do with the homelier-looking 5 Series Gran Turismo. Click past the jump to check out new video footage of the 5 series Touring.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/13/o...ouring-w-video










http://www.autoblog.com/2010/0...video/

 

Very nice. BMW and Mercedes wagons have always been my favorite wagons in terms of styling, but they have sold very poorly in the US.

 

I've always liked them too, as well as Audi wagons. As you said, as nice as they are in terms of styling, performance and practicality they just don't sell well here in the U.S.

 

How about we trade that 5 GT thing and get this instead? Is that an option? haha

 

I'll raise the stakes--the 5GT AND the X6 for the 5-series Estate.

Seriously, a 535 (i or d) or 550i wagon is just about my ideal car. Sporty, roomy, comfortable, practical.

 

this is my little dream wagon. i would rather not see it. it will be less painful.

 

 

^^^ lol......

 

That 5 is a good looking wagon.

I'm also liking this split opening rear hatch BMW has going on right now.

 

In Germany people are saying the 5 series GT is needed "because BMW just can't do wagons right".

I've noticed that in most comparison tests involving a BMW estate, it usually scores average to poorly in criteria where Audi and Mercedes excel.

 

I saw an M5 wagon driving around and man, that car is beautiful!

 

...what's with North America hating on the wagon so much?

I spent a few of my impressionable years in Australia and love wagons...but came over here and there were basically none.

 

It looks like wagons have come a long way in the last 20+ years...



It's weird how wagons gained such a stigma after being such a staple in this country not so long ago. I guess the minivan followed by the SUV really encroached on the US market for these "cargo" vehicles.

 

^ that's exactly why NAs hate wagons, 'cause that's what they think of.

I asked my Mum about this once and she immediately thought of

and


... so ... it's an uphill battle in NA for sure