BMW i5 Touring unveiled and destined for NZ

Following the launch of the BMW i5 sedan late last year, we’ve now been introduced to the Touring which is set to arrive in New Zealand in the third quarter of this year.

The new model will only be sold locally in M60 xDrive Touring guise, otherwise known as the creme of the crop as far as the current 5 Series range is concerned. That is until the new M5 makes an appearance in the near future.

Measuring 5060mm long, 1900mm wide, and 1515mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2995mm, the new Touring has grown in a big way compared to its predecessor, meaning it can now transport up to 1700 litres of cargo.

This is of course a wagon variant of the four-door i5 sedan, meaning its illuminated kidney grille surround, pumped arches, and LED taillights are already familiar to us, with the only big change being its new elongated roofline and rear hatch spoiler.

Kiwis will have a choice of three BMW Individual paint jobs to clad their Touring in, as well as having the option to fit the M Sport Package Pro which includes a whole host of carbon fibre goodies. A set of 20-inch M alloy wheels comes fitted as standard, while 21-inch alloys are available at no extra cost.

Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment display along with a 14.9-inch gauge cluster for the driver, both of which are integrated into a single curved pane. Sports seats wrapped in Merino leather are a standard fit, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, ambient lighting, panoramic glass sunroof, and a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.

Occupants will be able to connect their devices to the car’s infotainment system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the get go, while the optional Connected Package Professional provides the ability to stream videos via YouTube and play games via the AirConsole platform on the infotainment display.

Underpinning the model is a dual electric motor drivetrain producing 442kW and 800Nm of torque, with power constantly being sent to all four wheels.

Even with a bit of extra junk in the trunk, the Touring is no slouch, with its 0 to 100km/h sprint time coming to 3.9 seconds. However, you’ll only be able to achieve that time if you engage M Launch Control, which ups torque to 820Nm.

Supplying power to the wagon is an 84kWh (81.2kWh net) battery, which is big enough to travel up to 506km. Charge can be topped up with a 205kW DC fast charger when needed, or a more conventional 22kW AC charger.

Other features include sport suspension and brakes, both of the M variety, as well as BMW’s various active roll stabilisation and comfort systems.

A host of driver assistance and safety systems are standard fits, those of which include lane keep assist, remote parking via a smartphone, and more.

BMW New Zealand expects that the new i5 M60 xDrive Touring will arrive in the country in the third quarter of 2024, with pricing to be announced closer to its launch.