BMW M5 Touring

BMW hopes the M5 can lay claim to being the world's most dynamic estate car. And, from the driver's seat, its performance is just as good as the impressive saloon's. Packed with technology, the M5 can be sensational. But much of the involvement and excitement comes at speeds not practical in the UK. Still, blending all the attributes of the four-door with a practical load space makes the Touring a strong addition to BMW's M line-up.

It's been a long time coming, but the four exhaust pipes sticking out of the back of this BMW 5-Series can mean only one thing... The legendary M5 Touring has finally arrived in the UK.

This is the first time an estate version of the German company's super-saloon has been sold in right-hand-drive form - even though left-hookers are available only in small numbers. And the really good news is that it has exactly the same 507bhp 5.0-litre V10 engine and seven-speed SMG gearbox as the mighty M5 saloon.

With its spacious body and hi-tech suspension, the latest M5 Touring is sure to attract some serious attention. BMW feels that the time is right to take on Mercedes' AMG estates and the Audi RS Avants by selling a machine that combines supercar performance with practicality. As a result, the newcomer has the same brutal acceleration, huge grip and powerful brakes as the four-door.

In fact, the driving experience is unaltered from the saloon's. From behind the wheel, the estate feels exactly the same as its stablemate.

Technical modifications are minimal - the rear suspension was strengthened to cope with bigger loads, and the quad tailpipes have been rerouted to allow for the flat rear floor.

These add 100kg to the kerbweight, although this model is only a tenth of a second slower than the four-door version in the sprint from 0-62mph. On the road, all of this means the M5 Touring's mighty engine comprehensively resets the benchmark of estate car performance. Together with the seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox, the V10's torque reserves mean acceleration is simply astounding.

The larger body doesn't seem to have affected the way the newcomer behaves mid-corner, either, with the M5 Touring offering just as much poise and stability as its smaller relative. If anything, the estate is even more of a driver's delight when it comes to the exhaust note - all that extra space at the rear amplifies the bark of the 5.0-litre powerplant.

The key M5 technology remains unaltered - the head-up display is standard, while the cockpit buttons allow the driver to choose from three suspension settings, two power outputs and five gearchange speeds.

Features seen on other Touring models, such as the opening glass in the rear screen, powered tailgate and roof rails, add plenty of functionality.

However, this version's 500-litre boot capacity below the parcel shelf is 20 litres less than that of the saloon. With the rear seats folded flat, though, the load-lugger's 1,650-litre maximum storage area provides considerably more versatility for carrying luggage than the four-door.

The manufacturer's optional load-restraint system and luggage runners can be fitted, too. And it's this adaptability which will appeal to customers keen on getting an extra helping of space in their supercar.

On the outside, the M5 saloon's aggressive design shows off its performance potential, and the lines work equally well in Touring form. M styling cues such as the chromed side gills, enormous alloy wheels, deep bumpers and widened arches blend attractively with the 5-Series' superbly proportioned estate bodyshape.

Opting for the load-lugger over the four-door brings a £2,580 price premium, as well as a small increase in emissions. Nevertheless, many BMW fans will welcome the introduction of an M5 Touring - and Mercedes and Audi should watch out!