Yes, station wagons have been unfairly maligned by the SUV-obsessed masses over the past two decades. But every now and then, a wagon comes along that reminds us why this bodystyle once ruled the autobahns and family photo albums.

Say hello to the all-new BMW 5 Series Touring, now officially available in Singapore in two compelling flavours: the 520i Touring and the M5 Touring.

BMW 520i Touring

Under the bonnet, a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine delivers 208hp.

Step inside and you’re greeted with the same curved display and minimalist cockpit found in the latest 5 Series sedan. It’s all whisper-soft materials and intuitive controls, with a focus on technology.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, naturally, as does enough cargo space to satisfy the needs of a growing family.

BMW M5 Touring

This car is the result of engineers at BMW M deciding the school run could use a little Nürburgring influence. Beneath the subtly flared arches and aggressive stance lies a plug-in hybrid V8, producing north of 700hp.

We don’t have the full performance specs just yet, but if BMW’s recent M hybrids are anything to go by, this M5 Touring will blitz 0-100km/h times in the three-second range while still offering space in the back for a Labrador and a week’s worth of groceries.

Adaptive M Suspension, xDrive all-wheel drive, and a clever blend of electric torque and V8 drama make this a Swiss army knife of motoring; blisteringly quick, surprisingly comfortable, and devastatingly cool.

A Station Wagon for Every Occasion

With the launch of the 520i Touring and the M5 Touring, BMW is giving Singaporean buyers something we haven’t had in a long while, choice.

In a world where everyone is busy climbing into SUVs, BMW has reminded us why the humble wagon might just be the smartest, most versatile car on the road.

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These machines don’t roll off the production line every year. In fact, this is only the third M5 Touring ever to emerge from BMW’s factory, and it’s safe to say, everything about it is, well, enormous.

This beauty stretches nearly five meters long and two meters wide, with a cargo bay starting at 500 litres. But flip down the rear seats – though not entirely flat – and you unlock a cavernous 1,630-litre space that’s peppered with lashing points, perfect for securing all your gear.

Honestly, isn’t there something about the chunky, stocky shape of the Touring that wears those ‘M5’ upgrades better than the saloon?

Now, under the hood, this Touring naturally shares its hardware with the latest M5 saloon. It’s the first plug-in hybrid M5. The heart of this M5 Touring is a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that churns out a respectable 577bhp. Yes, I know, it’s a bit down from the old M5’s V8, but BMW is keeping an eye on future emissions laws.

But then, the electric motor tucked into the gearbox comes to the rescue, boosting the total output to 717bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.

Sure, you could geek out over its acceleration stats; 0 to 100 in 3.6 seconds. And yes, the top speed can be pushed from 249km/h to 304km/h with the right options ticked.

But let’s be practical for a second – you’ve got your surfboard, your wind-foiling setup, and maybe even a jet ski hooked up to the trailer. No worries. The M5 Touring can also tow two tonnes.

Even when you’re not towing a weekend warrior’s dream behind you, the M5 Touring has plenty of heft. 

With all-wheel drive that can be switched off, rear-wheel steering, adaptive suspension, an 18.6kWh battery, an electric tailgate, and no carbon roof (because BMW couldn’t source a supplier capable of making one long enough), it tips the scales at a staggering 2,560kg.

That’s Bentley Bentayga territory for the folks counting at home, complete with luggage.

That’s likely why the current Audi RS6 Performance, despite packing 100bhp less, is actually quicker off the line – a whole 0.2 seconds faster on the century sprint, thanks to being half a tonne lighter.

But here’s the real question: Would you rather be in the faster car, or would you prefer your neighbours not hate you for waking them up with V8 cold starts on a Sunday morning?

At least with the hybrid M5, you can maybe make a quiet escape. 

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