New BMW i5 Touring redefines practical luxury

New BMW i5 Touring redefines practical luxury

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At long last. BMW has finally ripped the covers off its elegantly styled i5 Touring following an online teaser before the end of January.

The new i5 Touring is everything that the normal variant is but with a station wagon stance that lends it charm, thanks to the blend of practicality and performance. As predicted, it has grown in size compared to its ICE-powered G31 counterpart, which wasn’t sold in Mzansi. 

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It is 97mm longer, 32mm wider, and sits 17mm higher off the ground with a wheelbase that measures 2,995mm. 

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Many will agree that it looks stunning and reminiscent of the brutal M5 Touring revealed in 2023. It comes with new light alloys in 18 and 19-inch sizes as standard and if you like, larger 21-inch alloys, M Sport Package, M Sport Package Pro and M Carbon Exterior Packages can be specified as options. 

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Regarding space, station wagons are typically more spacious than their conventional sedan counterparts. The i5 Touring is no exception, thanks to a boot space that can be expanded from 570 to a generous 1,700 litres. For comparison sake, the i5 and normal 5 Series saloon measure 490 litres and 520 litres, respectively. 

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From the onset, the BMW i5 Touring will be offered in two variants; eDrive40 and M60 xDrive. The former packs a rear-mounted electric motor that pumps out 250kW and 430Nm enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds while the latter with its xDrive completes the same sprint in 3.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 230km/h. 

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Both models pack an 81.2kWh battery pack and according to BMW, the eDrive40 Touring can travel up to 560km between charges. The M60 xDrive on the other hand can travel up to 506km. 

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The battery pack can be recharged via an AC charger with up to 11kW or optionally, through a 22kW facility. A DC charger with up to 205kW can be used and will recharge the pack from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. 

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The BMW i5 Touring poises to become an accomplished executive estate vehicle that combines practicality and the experience of driving an EV while contributing positively towards a zero-emissions future. Sadly, this is not likely to come to SA due to the market’s aversion to wagons in general, which is a great pity in our opinion.

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