Leipzig show: BMW to unveil 5 Series Touring

THE redesigned 5 Series Touring will make its world public debut at the Leipzig motor show on April 9, BMW has announced.

The news came on the same day BMW confirmed it will produce its landmark new ‘Megacity’ electric car, to be sold under a new BMW sub-brand from around 2013, at its factory in the same German city.

First official images of the new 5 Series Touring, which has been seen in spy shots dressed in heavy disguise for months now, are not expected to be released until the eve of this year’s Auto Mobil International on the Leipzig Fairgrounds.

Also present at the Leipzig show, to which BMW will return in 2010, will be the sixth-generation 5 Series sedan that goes on sale here in June and the facelifted 3 Series Coupe and Convertible and upgraded X5 that will be released Down Under mid-year.

As we’ve reported, all three models will make their global debuts at the Geneva motor show on March 2, when the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept will also make its world debut.

While the souped-up Z4 35is will also hits Australian roads around the same time, BMW’s next local launch will be for the all-new X1 compact SUV, which officially goes on sale here on April 10.

BMW says its chose the Leipzig show to reveal its fourth-generation 5 Series wagon, which is based on the new F10-generation 5 Series large sedan because, in the absence of the biennial Frankfurt show, it is the largest automotive show to be held this year in Germany – the 5 Series Touring largest market.

The Megacity will join the X1 and 1 Series small car in production at BMW’s Leipzig plant.