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BMW 5 Series Touring coming to Australia


The all-new BMW 5 Series Touring has been confirmed for Australia with a local showroom debut in the second half of this year, months after the sedan goes on sale in March.

The confirmation came from none other than BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner who spoke to journalists at a recent company event and comes despite intense competition for sales between wagons and ever more popular SUVs.

“In recent years, wagons have been fighting with SUVs for customer consideration in the Australian market,” he said.

“However, last week BMW announced the new wagon variant that might just change many people’s minds. 

“This beautiful vehicle, the all-new BMW 5 Series Touring, has such an elegant and classic profile that we couldn’t resist, so we will be bringing these online in Australia in the second half of the year.”

Just what will power the Australian version is yet to be confirmed.

Next month's Geneva motor show will see the global debut of the 5 Series Touring, which in its European form will feature four engine options, both 2.0- and 3.0-litre diesel and petrol powerplants. 

Just what will power the Australian version is yet to be confirmed, though the previous 5 Series wagon offered just two options, a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight six, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four cylinder.  

The new 5 Series will probably mirror that option list with the petrol engine boasting 250kW/450Nm and the diesel mill churning out a respectable 140kW/400Nm.

The new Touring has 40/20/40 folding rear seats which, when upright, allow a boot space of 570 litres, up 10L over the previous version. 

That rises to an impressive 1700L, 30L up on the old model, with the seats folded.

The new BMW 5 Series wagon will have comparatively clear air in the segment that is not contested by traditional rival Mercedes-Benz, with the latter preferring the E-Class All-Terrain wagon to compete against the Audi A6 Allroad and the forthcoming Volvo V90 Cross Country. 

The business case for the Estate was simply not strong enough according to Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific PR boss David McCarthy. He suggested Mercedes would be able to double annual sales of the Estate when offered in All-Terrain guise.

“We think that anyone that’s bought an Estate, and there’s not a lot of them (less than 100 per year), we think that the All-Terrain will add volume to that,” he said.

“If you’re just after an E-Class Estate, I don’t think the All-Terrain will put you off.

“At this stage we’re sticking with All-Terrain, we’ll put our money on that and see how it goes.”

The All-Terrain is set to arrive Down Under in May and Mr McCarthy is projecting annual sales of approximately 200 examples. 

It will go on sale powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, though there is a chance a diesel V6-powered E350d will enter the line-up if customer demand is healthy enough.

Pricing and specification details for the Australian BMW 5 Series Touring will be made public closer to its local launch later this year. 

Do you think it was the right move for BMW to bring in a 5 Series wagon to compete against its rivals and their more off-road capable offerings? Tell us what you think in the comments below.