BMW’s M5 Touring Debuts at Monterey Car Week 2024

The annual automotive celebration known as Monterey Car Week is over for 2024. However, at the festivities, BMW did premiere a car we can celebrate for more than just a week!

Officially known as BMW M5 Touring, the latest Bavarian family-hauler will be the first in its three iterations to grace the United States. Perhaps the Audi RS6 Avant being the social media darling and powerhouse it is, has pushed BMW’s hand for US homologation? 

Unlike Audi, the BMW utilizes a hybrid-powertrain. The 4.4-liter V8 has twin turbochargers, affectionately known as “TwinPower Turbo Technology” in BMW speak, and a single electric motor to produce a combined 717 horsepower. That comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission (no rowing gears unfortunately). 

Interestingly enough, BMW claims that the single electric motor can propel the M5 wagon up to 87 MPH and give it a range of approximately 40 miles without firing up the V8; if you are into that sort of thing. 

A valve-tronic style exhaust is standard, as well as all-wheel drive. The M-light alloy wheels (20-inch front and 21-inch rears) with high-performance tires are also standard. You can opt in for carbon ceramic brakes as well as a host of other assistants. Buyers can add “Driving Assistant Professional including Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control, automatic Speed Limit Assist, traffic light detection and Active Navigation. The likewise optional Parking Assistant Professional allows parking and maneuvering to be controlled by smartphone from outside the car,” according to BMW’s press release.

The M5 Touring has an estimated 0-60 MPH time of 3.5 seconds or less; and a starting price tag of $122,675. So it packs a lot of punch in the performance and price departments. Despite the six-figure starting price, for those enthusiasts who love a German wagon, they now have one more option to consider when buying.

This will have to be a tuner-provided dream fulfillment, but would it be too much to ask for have one with an S85 under the hood? BMW fans can dream…