BMW's next flagship vehicle from its 5 Series has been spotted on the snow-covered roads of Scandinavia. But aside from the 5 Series Sedan version, its Touring counterpart was also taken out for a spin during the same test.
As noted by Auto Car, the sedan version, also known as the next-generation M5, will share a few features from its predecessors and other BMW cars. For instance, just like the 7 series, the M5 will house the same dashboard design. It will also be equipped with an autonomous driving system through its 48-volt electrical architecture.
For the M5, this auto-drive feature, which is already starting to become a staple addition to new car models, will come with special features and other tech for speed pre-determination, automatic braking, anti-collision detection and self-steering mode.
Under the hood, the M6 is expected to come equipped with an improved variant of the brand's 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which could boost its total horsepower to about 626.
Also, like the current M5 model, the 2017 version will also feature a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But, the maximum output for its drivetrain is expected to be increased as opposed to sticking with the same 552bhp and 501lb of the 2016 variant's torque.
As for the Touring variant, World Car Fans will sport bigger LED headlights than those seen on the 7 Series. It will also appear bigger than the current M5 but it is not yet clear if BMW will retain or improve on the car's 19.7 cubic feet of trunk space.
As noted by the site, the M5 Touring will most likely feature upgraded four and six-cylinder turbocharged engines. In addition, back in March of last year, Dr. Friedrich Eichiner, the CFO of BMW, announced that the company will be using the Cluster Architecture or CLAR platform for its newer cars.
This platform mainly utilizes high-strength steel combined with aluminum and carbon fiber, according to the BMW Blog.
Since the upcoming 5 Series are in line to receive the full CLAR treatment, this means the Touring and the sedan version could be about 200 pounds lighter than their predecessors.
As for their debut, the M5 Series Sedan is expected to make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show happening this October. The Touring, on the other hand, might be unveiled early next year.
