Geneva Motor Show 2004 - BMW

BMW's stand at Geneva gave us our first look at a pair of new 5-series models. Most important is the Touring version, which is bigger in every dimension than the previous Touring, but also lighter. Its boot can hold 535 litres with the seats in place and 1650 litres when folded. That’s as much as 125 litres more than the old Touring, but still less than the Mercedes estate.

Self-levelling suspension is fitted as standard, as is a rear windscreen that can be opened independently of the rest of the tailgate. An optional fully automatic boot lid opens the tailgate and retracts the load cover simultaneously.

There's masses of passenger space in the back, while the boot is large and practically shaped. Maximum load space is achieved by folding the rear seat back forward onto the cushion, although the deck isn't quite flat.

Sales of the Touring begin in May, starting at £29,415 for the 525i SE petrol and rising to £43,945 for the 545i SE. A pair of diesel models are also available: the 525d for £30,300 and the 530d for £33,890. That makes the estate between £2290 and £2840 more expensive than similarly powered saloons.

Two more petrol models, an entry-level 520i and 530i, will go on sale in spring 2005, while BMW is also lining up a new 535d diesel for both saloon and estate versions of the car.

The new 3.0-litre diesel engine uses twin turbochargers to supply a huge spread of power, developing 272bhp and a thumping 369lb ft of pull. The engine complies with Euro IV emissions standards, so avoids the usual 3% company car tax penalty on diesels. It will be available in both saloon and Touring variants from this autumn. Prices and fuel consumption have yet to be confirmed.

The other major news was a sneak preview of the new M5 performance car. Officially called the M5 Concept, the show car is expected to be very close to how the production version will look when it goes on sale at the end of the year.

The concept’s muscular lines and chunky alloys match its considerable power, provided by a 500bhp 5.0-litre V10 engine. The chassis has been modified to cope with the extra power, while the car will use a new seven-speed sequential gearbox that does away with the clutch pedal.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but expect a hefty increase over the previous model.

BMW has decided not to unveil its new 1-series hatchback at the Geneva show. Come back to Whatcar.com on March 23 for the first pictures of the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf rival.