HOT on the heels of this month’s arrival of the new BMW 5 Series saloon comes the early autumn launch of the latest Touring model. It’s the fourth generation of the popular estate version of the 5 Series range and will initially be available in four derivatives. There will be a choice of two petrol cars, the 523i and 535i, and two diesel models, the 520d and 530d – all with the promise of innovative technology to ensure top notch performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Prices start at £30,380 for the 520d model rising to £39,650 for the 535i petrol estate. The German company’s UK managing director Tim Abbott says: “BMW can fairly claim to have created the idea to turn executive saloon cars into practical yet still fun to drive estates with its first 5 Series Touring in the UK back in 1991. “Up until then most large estates were utilitarian load-luggers that eschewed both the driving capabilities of their saloon cousins as well as the style. The 5 Series Touring changed all that and its success has led to the new fourth generation being unveiled. “Since the UK is the third largest market for the 5 Series Touring, this new model is an important and exciting one for us.” The new model has been designed to reflect an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution with balanced proportions, short overhangs, a flowing roofline and a long, contoured bonnet. All models feature 40/20/40 flat-folding rear seat backrests, a luggage load cover that retracts and lowers automatically with the tailgate and a self opening rear window for ease of loading smaller items – said to be a unique feature in the market. And self-levelling air suspension at the rear will ensure that the Touring is unaffected when carrying heavy loads, while Dakota leather upholstery is now standard for all models along with automatic air conditioning with two-zone control. Park Distance Control, front and rear, and Bluetooth telephone preparation are also now standard spec and a USB audio interface and ambient lighting are standard for six-cylinder cars. The boot capacity of the new Touring is 560 litres - 60 more than the outgoing model - and a cavernous 1,670 litres with all rear seats folded. A further option is Extended Storage that includes “cargo” functionality for rear seats. This allows the rear seat backrests to be fixed in a more upright position to boost luggage capacity by 30 litres and minimise wasted space behind rear seats The 520d Touring is expected to be the biggest seller in the UK. Its 1,995cc four cylinder diesel engine features the latest generation common-rail direct injection and a turbocharger which increases power to 184hp at 4,000rpm. Performance is 0 to 62mph in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 138mph, while average fuel consumption is 54.3mpg and CO2 rating 137g/km, making it the most fuel efficient executive estate at the moment. There’s also an array of BMW's economical EfficientDynamics technologies - the 520d Touring becoming the first 5 Series to have Auto Start-Stop. All manual gearbox models come with an Optimum gearshift indicator to help drivers decide when to change gear. Optional equipment will include head-up display, night vision with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning, lane change warning, speed limit info and two rear entertainment packages. The on-sale date is September 18. | 
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