BMW M5 F10 to Remain Rear-Wheel Drive, No Touring Planned
BMW has confirmed the new F10-generation M5 will not offer all-wheel drive or a Touring estate variant, citing low demand for the wagon and current powertrain priorities.
BMW will not offer all-wheel drive or a Touring estate variant for the new F10-generation M5, the company has confirmed. The decision was outlined by Albert Biermann, head of product development at BMW M GmbH, who explained that neither option fits the current market or technical strategy for the high-performance saloon.
Biermann said that while all-wheel drive can help manage high torque, the M5’s current output does not yet require it. He suggested that future generations could see AWD if power and torque continue to rise, but for now, the rear-driven layout remains central to the M5’s character. This keeps the F10 M5 in line with its predecessors, despite growing interest in all-wheel drive performance saloons in some markets.
Why no Touring estate?
BMW’s decision to drop the Touring variant from the M5 range is based on poor global demand for the previous generation. Only 1,056 units of the last M5 Touring were sold worldwide, a figure that did not justify development of a new estate version for the F10 platform. The company also indicated that a similar approach will be taken with the M3, with no Touring model planned for that car either.
The lack of a Touring M5 leaves BMW’s estate offering to the regular 5 Series Touring and the 5 Series Gran Turismo, which focus more on practicality and comfort than outright performance. For buyers seeking a performance estate, rivals such as the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes E63 AMG Estate remain the main alternatives. BMW’s own 3 Series Touring continues to be popular in markets where estates are valued, as seen in the recent reveal of the 2013 model (/its-official-2013-bmw-3-series-touring-revealed).
AWD not ruled out for future M models
Although the F10 M5 will not feature all-wheel drive, Biermann acknowledged that the technology could appear in future M models if performance demands increase. He noted that as power and torque figures rise, all-wheel drive may become necessary to ensure effective traction. For now, however, BMW M remains committed to rear-wheel drive for its flagship saloon.
BMW’s stance sets the F10 M5 apart from some competitors that have adopted all-wheel drive to handle higher outputs and improve usability in poor weather. The move also signals that BMW is not yet ready to follow the broader industry trend toward AWD in its M division saloons, at least with the current generation.
No Touring for M3 either
The company’s reluctance to offer Touring versions extends to the next M3, which will also be offered only as a saloon and coupé. BMW’s product planners see little business case for a high-performance estate in this segment, given current sales data.
