But thanks to the use of lightweight materials, the larger 5-series Touring is actually 20 to 45 kg lighter than the car it replaces. Sharing technology with its sedan sibling, the new BMW 5-series Touring features an all-aluminum front end, including the hood, fenders, brake calipers and front suspension.
The chassis is also made from aluminum and includes an integral arm rear axle and automatic self-leveling rear suspension as standard. Differing in design from the sedan's setup, the rear axle arrangement of the wagon ensures the trunk floor remains completely flat and avoids the suspension turrets intruding into the loading space.
Like the previous model, the new wagon features a split cargo door, with the rear window opening separately from the rest of the tailgate to allow easy loading of small items. Consumers can also order a fully automatic cargo door, which opens with one press of a keyfob button.
Additional storage space is available below the luggage floor with a lockable floor panel supported by gas struts. Below this is a 35-litre area for the spare wheel and tire that becomes useable storage space when the car is specified with run-flats.
Like the 5-series sedan, the new wagon comes with such driver safety aids as Dynamic Stability Control (including Dynamic Traction Control), Corner Brake Control, and Brake Force Display.
BMW's new Brake Force Display system is standard equipment on the new wagon and is said to help prevent rear end accidents. Under normal braking, the LED brake lights illuminate when the pedal is pressed. In emergency braking situations, however, or when the anti-lock system is engaged, a larger area of LED brake light illuminates to provide a warning to drivers behind of a dangerous situation ahead, giving them the maximum opportunity to react.
The 5-series Touring comes with 16-inch light alloy wheels on the 525i model and 17-inch wheels on the 545i. As well, various 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels are available as options, all featuring run-flat technology. This allows a car with a punctured tire to be driven fully laden for at least 150 km at speeds of 80 km/h, removing the need for roadside tire changes. Run-flats also have the added benefit of negating the need for a spare wheel, thereby providing extra storage space and reducing weight.
Other features on the new 5-series Touring (it's not know which will be standard and which will be optional in Canada) will include:
- Active Steering, which adjusts the amount of steering angle delivered to the front wheels, depending on vehicle speed.
To enhance maneuverability at lower speeds, less steering wheel input is required to change the angle of the front wheels. But at higher speeds, the steering becomes progressively more direct, requiring more steering wheel input to change the front wheel angle, thereby assisting high-speed stability.