New 5 Series Touring for under $100K

BMW Australia has announced pricing for its fourth-generation 5 Series Touring range, which will be expanded to include a sub-$100,000 diesel variant for the first time when the Bavarian brand’s all-new family wagon goes on sale here in September.

Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, the entry-level 520d Touring will cost $92,800 - $9500 more than the similarly engined 520d sedan ($83,300).

More significantly, the new 520d will cost at least $45,000 less than its most direct rival in the Mercedes-Benz E350 Avantgarde wagon ($138,100), although it is also $21,200 pricier than Audi’s entry-level A6 2.0 TDI Avant ($71,600).

For buyers that demand more performance at the expensive of fuel consumption, BMW Australia will also release the 535i Touring, which at $138,900 is $800 dearer than the sole E-class Estate, the E350, as well as precisely $10,000 more expensive than the latest (F10-generation) 535i sedan and over $30,000 less than the outgoing 530i Touring ($123,179).

Standard equipment in all Australian 5 Series Touring models will include a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, BMW Parking Assistant and self-levelling rear suspension. BMW’s new Speed Limit Info system and internet connectivity will also be available for the first time.

BMW says its latest 5 Series wagon is the only model in its class to feature a 40/20/40-split folding rear seatback, and will pitch its newest Touring model as an alternative to large luxury SUVs including its own X5.

"Not everyone wants, or needs, a high-riding lifestyle vehicle and with the 5 Series Touring we are offering the best of both worlds with a spacious, practical and versatile interior and benchmark performance, efficiency and driving dynamics,” said BMW Group Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis.

"A vast array of driver assistance systems combined with BMW's renowned chassis technology ensures safe, confident and dynamic driving characteristics while the latest generation turbocharged petrol and diesel engines refined with EfficientDynamics technologies provide the ultimate in performance and efficiency.”

As we’ve reported, the Mk4 5 Series Touring rides on the longest wheelbase in its class (2968mm) and measures 4907mm long overall, as well as a five-seat interior offering luggage capacity of between 560 and 1670 litres.

New features include a rear seatback that can be adjusted through 11 degrees in seven separate increments, and a rear window that opens separately from the tailgate – both of which can be opened remotely via the key fob. A luggage cover, full-length floor rails with adjustable eyelets and a luggage net will also be standard.

The 5 Series Touring will be available in 13 exterior paint colours (with metallic standard on the 535i), while six choices of Dakota leather interior trim and two types of optional Nappa leather to be offered.

Apart from a range of no-cost interior trim options, both versions of the new 5 Series Touring will also be available with a full M Sport package for the first time, including 18-inch alloy wheels, 15mm-lower M sports suspension, an M sports bodykit, sport front seats, an M leather steering wheel and M interior highlights.

Like the 535i sedan, the 535i Touring is powered by BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology, in this case employing the same 225kW turbocharged direct-injection 3.0-litre inline petrol six that debuted here in the 5 Series GT.

Fitted as standard with an eight-speed auto, the 535i Touring delivers 400Nm of torque from just 1200rpm, sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds and can return average fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km and CO2 emissions of 197g/km.

The diesel-powered 520d Touring, meantime, delivers 135kW and 380Nm (the latter between 1750 and 2750rpm) and hits 100km/h in a claimed 8.3 seconds, but returns just 5.3L/100km and 139g/km.

As with the new 7 Series-based 5 Series, the Touring will come with a host of new high-tech options, including Surround View, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning, BMW Night Vision and Speed Limit Info.