This is officially the release of the 5-Series Touring (see our previous post here) and the car’s exactly what you think it is in every way: a station wagon version of BMW’s 5-Series, and a damn sight prettier than the postmodern 5GT.

That means that just about anything available on the 2011 5-Series saloon (Variable Damper Control, 8-Speed Sport automatic gearbox, EfficientDynaics technology) will also be offered on the wagon.

The four engines at launch will be the 520d (184HP 2.0L diesel), 530d (245HP 3.0L diesel), 523i (204HP 3.0L petrol), and 535i (306HP 3.0L turbo petrol). Being a touring model, it’s obviously meant to be a more utilitarian take on the 5-Series.

Taking this into consideration, everything needed to get the kids to the vet or the dog to school is available: split-folding rear seat (40/20/40), luggage cover attached to the rear hatch, unique opening rear hatch window, load-leveling suspension, and roof rails (available in matte aluminum, matte black, or gloss black).

The Touring 5-er’s storage space has grown by 60 liters to 560 liters (19.8 cu ft) with the seats up, or 1,670 liters (59 cu ft) with the seats folded down. Also, BMW seems to have fixed the issue of the rear seats’ lean-in to the cargo area.

If necessary, the seats can be fixed in a more-upright position, adding 30 liters (1.06 cu ft) of space in the rear, while keeping the rear seats functional and straightening your kids’ spines. They call it “Extended Storage”; I call it a free trip to the chiropractor.

Like other upcoming BMW models, EfficientDynamics plays a key role in the car’s…efficiency.

That means Start/Stop tech, a gear shift indicator for those people who can drive with two feet, and, “completing the panoply [Noun: a magnificent or impressive array] of BMW’s…EfficientDynamics package are Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, Low rolling resistance tires, Electric Power Steering and lightweight engineering throughout the vehicle.”

With the newest generation, BMW debuts a few 5-Series Touring firsts: “The BMW 520d Touring is the first 5 Series to come with Auto Start-Stop, reducing the engine idle period when coming to a short stop”. The Touring can also be fitted with “four-wheel Integral Active Steering”, which helps cut the turning radius.

If you live in Europe, BMW’s latest executive tourer goes on sale in September

The BMW 7-Series’ smaller brother both in terms of size and styling, the new 5-Series, was officially launched today. Key highlights include a less controversial exterior design that’s more muscular and draws heavily on the Bavarian firm’s flagship limousine and the return of the BMW’s driver orientated center console and the classic four circular gauges on the instrument panel. Add to that an increased length of 4,899mm or 192.9” (previous model: 4,841 mm or 190.6”) combined with a wheelbase of 2.968 mm or 116.9” (+80 mm or +3.15”) and a revised engine lineup that includes turbocharged inline-six and V8 units.

The increased length and what BMW describes as the largest wheelbase in the segment, are said to translates into an extra 13mm of knee room for the rear passengers, compared to the previous 5 Series, while the sedan also get a 520-litre boot with the option to specify 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.

The new 5-Series, codenamed F10, is based on the same platform as the 5-Series GT and the latest 7-Series sedan. The double wishbone layout up front is combined with a multilink axle at the back while for the first time, the 5 Series comes with Electric Power Steering with Servotronic assistance.

Those that specify the car with Variable Damper Control or Adaptive Drive packages, the Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) chassis configurator allows for fine tuning of the chassis with the choice of Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ with each mode changing the levels of steering assistance, throttle response, gear change characteristics, degree of Dynamic Stability Control interaction and, courtesy of adjustable dampers, the ride and handling characteristics.

All models will come equipped with a Brake Energy Regeneration system that recharges the vehicle’s battery during engine over-run while the 520d is the first 5 Series to come with Auto Start-Stop.

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So much for BMW’s preparations to take the wraps off the production-ready 5-Series Gran Turismo this upcoming weekend. Following an earlier leak this morning, a string of photos made their way around the internet revealing the controversial model in detail. As anticipated, the 5-Series GT has remained faithful to the concept car that was previewed for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March. To put it bluntly, the GT is quite possibly, one of the most weirdest cars ever produced by BMW. First of all, it’s no Gran Turismo, at least not in the way we think of GTs.

What we see as an outlandish fusion of bits and pieces from sedans, station wagons, fastbacks, coupes, MPVs, SUVs and bulgy buttocks, the Bavarian automaker views as a SAV which is short for ‘Sport Activity Vehicle’ – yes, something in the likes of an X6 saloon. The 5-Series GT supposedly blends the sporty shape of a fastback with the elevated seating position of an SUV, the cargo-hauling versatility of an MPV and the roominess of a 7-Series. Go figure.

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Following the presentation of the new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo to the members of the press, BMW went ahead and issued the first official photos and details of its 5-door study that will enter production later this year with minimal changes as the 5-Series GT. So what exactly is the GT we hear you ask. Tough question. The GT, which is based on the next generation 5-Series, will complement the sedan and Touring versions of BMW’s mid-size executive model, supposedly offering buyers MPV-like practicality and 7-Series cabin space in a liftback package with a coupe-like roofline.

BMW 5-series Gran Turismo Concept PAS Then again, the GT which is described by BMW as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), comes with a four-seat layout (what’s so practical about that?) and a design that is sure to create a new outburst of controversy, especially in what concerns its squatted and ‘uber’ Bangle-ized buttocks. All we can say is that if any other carmaker (e.g. Ssangyong…) were to introduce such a vehicle, the press would be cracking jokes like a drunk comedian.
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