BMW confirms 2024 M5 Touring with hybrid power

BMW officially confirmed the ‘G90/G99’ M5 in a set of teaser images released overnight, becoming only the third M5 Touring ever.

Aside from packing a near-600kW plug-in hybrid powertrain based around a petrol V8, this is also the first time we’re seing the eighth-generation of 5 Series in wagon form, aside from our speculative renders that you can see here.

BMW’s G61 Touring treatment is pretty typical, adding a C Pillar while retaining the slight spoiler of the sedan in the tailgate. A slightly sloping roof gives it a sporty look; expect the ever-practical opening rear glass and space for the labrador.

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Click to view the full M5 Touring gallery

Update: British publication Autocar [↗] spoke to sources close to BMW that revealed the M5's plug-in hybrid system would pack around 590kW and 1000Nm.

The powertrain is tipped to feature the 4.4-litre 'S63' twin-turbo V8 (also found in the F90 M5) with a rear-mounted electric motor and either a carryover 12kWh battery or a new 19.4kWh item.

Accompanying the Touring teaser, BMW referred to the M5’s powertrain as “a completely newly developed partially electrified drive system.”

That means the M5 won't to simply use the 559kW XM's plug-in hybrid powertrain with its gearbox-mounted electric motor coupled with a newer 4.4-litre 'S68' V8 engine. Instead, M has put money into developing a unique solution for the M5.

Wheels was lucky enough to spot an M5 sedan prototype near M GMBH in Garching (below) and the burbling exhaust note suggested it was packing a V8 under the bonnet. Stay tuned for more developments as BMW readies for a 2024 release.

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Prototype BMW M5 sedan spied in testing | Wheels Media

BMW’s M division says the M5 Touring will begin testing shortly on roads around Munich and the Nurburgring Nordschleife ahead of its 2024 release.

The first BMW M5 Touring was launched in 1992 based on the E34 5 Series, there was then a generational gap with the E39 before the E61 triumphantly brought the body style back in 2007.

The last two M5 generations (F10 and F90) have not been offered with wagon bodies. BMW’s decision was likely tipped by enthusiasts' love of the G81 M3 Touring.