BMW has revealed its new generation 5 Series Touring ahead of a Geneva Motor Show debut. 

Developed specifically for the European market, the new fifth generation model will be available with four engines, while the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system will be fitted in two models from launch (additional variants with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will join the line-up later in the year.)

BMW describes the sporty driving characteristics of the latest 5 Series Touring as the product of new chassis technology and a ‘commitment to reducing weight’, and rear air suspension with automatic self-levelling is part of standard specification. The suspension side members and tailgate are now made from aluminium, which is also employed alongside high-strength steels in many other chassis components. This use of materials together with optimised aerodynamics results in fuel consumption and emissions 11 per cent lower than the figures recorded by the new 5 Series Touring’s predecessor.

The exterior design features ‘precise contours’ on the new front end which also has standard LED headlights and a ‘forward-surging’ BMW kidney grille. The long roofline, flowing into heavily raked D-pillars hint at the car’ sporty nature while the rear window is framed by a roof spoiler with integrated auxiliary brake light and air deflectors at the sides.

On the inside, a driver-focused cockpit design is combined with a ‘premium ambience’. A new Control Display now comes in freestanding, flatscreen form. All seats benefit from greater head-, shoulder- and legroom, while optimised backrest contours, longer seat surfaces and extended kneeroom  offer improved comfort for the rear passengers.

The boot capacity of the new BMW 5 Series Touring has grown, at 570 – 1,700 litres its permissible load can hold up to 120 kilograms, depending on the model variant (to 720 – 730 kilograms). A 40 : 20 : 40 split/folding rear seat backrest, electrically operated by pressing a button in the boot is joined by a separately-opening rear window and automatic tailgate operation.

The engines available start with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in the 530i Touring. This unit generates maximum output of 252 hp and comes as standard mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. 0-62 mph takes 6.5 seconds with combined fuel consumption of 44.8 – 48.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 143 – 133 g/km.

A 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission and intelligent all-wheel-drive system team up to in the new 540i xDrive Touring, with output rising to 340 hp and peak torque of 450 Nm to deliver a 0-62 mph time of 5.1 seconds.

The four-cylinder engine in the new BMW 520d Touring extracts 190 hp from its 2.0-litre displacement. This diesel unit teams up as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, but can also be specified with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as an option. It offers a 0-62 mph time of 8.0 seconds (automatic: 7.8 seconds), and records a combined fuel consumption of 57.6 – 62.8 mpg with CO2 emissions of 129 – 119 g/km (124 – 114 grams Auto).

Rounding out the engine line-up from launch is a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel unit producing maximum output of 265 hp and peak torque of 620 Nm. This engine can send its power through either the rear wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive, and links up with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. 0-62 mph takes 5.8 seconds - and in the 530d xDrive Touring - 5.6 seconds with combined fuel consumption up to 60.1 mpg and CO2 emissions come in at 134 –124 or 149 –139 grams per kilometre.

The new 5 Series Touring is the latest model to point the way to automated driving with the help of new assistance systems and extended functionality, and also features BMW Connected which provides a bridge between the car and its driver’s smartphone. Added to which, Remote 3D View allows users to access images of the area around their car on their smartphone. The BMW 5 Series Touring is now available with the Remote Control Parking function.

The BMW 5 Series Touring will receive its World debut in March 2017 at the Geneva International Motor Show, with order books opening in June 2017.