Today, we brought you some spy photos and video of the new G30 BMW 5 Series, in both standard sedan and touring spec, as well as the full-on M5. We also mentioned how it was possible that the upcoming BMW M5 could gain some sort of all-wheel drive option to help cope with all of the power. This got my wheels spinning a bit about a potential BMW M5 xDrive Touring, something that got me very excited, indeed.
Now, we already know that if BMW does provide an all-wheel drive option for the M5, it won’t be called xDrive. This is because the AWD system for an M5 would be dormant most of the time, letting the driver feel as if the car is rear-wheel drive, only for it to intervene when absolutely necessary or for added performance. However, since we don’t know what this hypothetical M Division all-wheel drive system will be called, we’re gonna stick with xDrive for now.
Most die-hard BMW enthusiasts will shutter at the idea of a BMW M car with all-wheel drive. Yes, it feels a bit weird to think of such an idea, but the more we think about it, the more we understand it and actually agree with it. Firstly, it would just be an option and not mandatory on all M5s. Secondly, the next M5 will like have more than 600 hp and just as many torques, so all-wheel drive could be necessary to wrangle all of that power.
Plus, if BMW were to develop an all-wheel drive M5, that opens the door for an M5 xDrive Touring and a proper competitor to the beloved Audi RS6 Avant. Now, I know it’s a long shot for such a car to exist, as BMW hasn’t developed an M5 Touring since the E60-generation. But it just makes so much sense with all-wheel drive.
Both of BMW’s biggest competitors in the segment offer an all-wheel drive, wagon variant of their hottest super sedan — the Mercedes-AMG E63 Estate and the Audi RS6 Avant. The latter being the only one out right now and also the most popular hot wagon. BMW always shied away from those kind of cars because the M Division isn’t about practicality, but about performance and dynamics. So wagons were never really a priority. But now that the M5 might be halfway there, with the introduction of all-wheel drive, why not take it all the way and give us the proper M5 wagon we’ve been wanting since the E61 M5 Touring died?
While many BMW enthusiasts mock Audi for its front-wheel drive-based cars and tenacious understeer, the Audi RS6 Avant is one of the absolute coolest cars in the entire world. With a twin-turbo V8, 560 hp, all-wheel drive and a wagon body style, it’s literally everything an enthusiast could want. It provides simply ridiculous performance, incredible capability, supreme luxury and even everyday practicality. BMW could fight the RS6 Avant head on with the G30-generation M5 if it wants to. But that’s the key, here, if BMW wants to.
It’s doubtful a BMW M5 xDrive Touring will exist. I’m not a betting man but even if I were, I wouldn’t bet on it coming out. But such a car does make sense and I’m holding out hope that BMW sees the wagon-shaped light and gives us the M5 xDrive Touring we deserve.
