People usually say that estates are the ideal solution for family-oriented drivers with loads to carry. We'd like to think that the estate from BMW is slightly different. The 520i Touring that was assigned to us in Thailand proved that it's not just the ideal solution for those who like to carry, but also for those who enjoys the occasional dash.
Unlike the much acclaimed sedan sibling, the touring bodystyle isn't popular in Singapore. It's a funny thing because much that was said about the BMW 520i Sedan applies to this Touring. In other words, it's almost the same car, but this time, with added practicality - all without any signs of clumsiness and lots of satisfaction without losing its sportiness.
Exterior
The design of the car is intended to shout premium and elegance and like its sedan sibling, it does succeed. Sleek and curvy lines, signature corona headlamps and a bold front fascia all add up to form a machine that is extremely fluent and recognisable as a Bimmer.
Visually at 1462mm high and 4907mm long, the car does look big and obvious from every angle. But it's by no means unattractive, thanks to the M Sport package that was fitted to our test car.
Enlarged grille and attractive 19 inch M Doublespoke shoes are a far cry from other boxy estates which have been deemed as an old man's car. The Touring, on the other hand, should have no qualms attracting the younger crowd. Perhaps it's the rising waistline that makes it look more like an extended coupe rather than a traditional wagon.
Unlike the much acclaimed sedan sibling, the touring bodystyle isn't popular in Singapore. It's a funny thing because much that was said about the BMW 520i Sedan applies to this Touring. In other words, it's almost the same car, but this time, with added practicality - all without any signs of clumsiness and lots of satisfaction without losing its sportiness.
Exterior
The design of the car is intended to shout premium and elegance and like its sedan sibling, it does succeed. Sleek and curvy lines, signature corona headlamps and a bold front fascia all add up to form a machine that is extremely fluent and recognisable as a Bimmer.
Visually at 1462mm high and 4907mm long, the car does look big and obvious from every angle. But it's by no means unattractive, thanks to the M Sport package that was fitted to our test car.
Enlarged grille and attractive 19 inch M Doublespoke shoes are a far cry from other boxy estates which have been deemed as an old man's car. The Touring, on the other hand, should have no qualms attracting the younger crowd. Perhaps it's the rising waistline that makes it look more like an extended coupe rather than a traditional wagon.
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Apart from the prominent long appearance that makes for good aerodynamics and sophisticated looks, the extension at the back offers a deep and high luggage area that's finished with sporty 'L' taillights, a nicely tucked rear-end and black twin chrome exhaust tips.
The car looks sportier when fitted with the M Doublespoke rims  |
Interior
Inside, the faultless cabin premium materials and wonderful build quality will pamper all five occupants with sumptuous comfort. Well-bolstered leather seats do a good job in fitting occupants well while space is the royal order for the day. The only quibble about the interior was the lack of a sunroof, which is only available as an option.
Inlay materials look extremely sporty with the M Sport package
Design wise, drivers will be faced with a driver-oriented dashboard, as with the sedan. Buttons and controls have been brought down to bare minimum as well, thanks to the iDrive that controls most of the luxury features such as the sat nav, audio and other onboard computer systems. Thus, you'll never feel like you are in a typical luxurious German car that's bombarded by an overabundance of electronics that make you feel like a nanny is trying to drive your car.
Inside, the faultless cabin premium materials and wonderful build quality will pamper all five occupants with sumptuous comfort. Well-bolstered leather seats do a good job in fitting occupants well while space is the royal order for the day. The only quibble about the interior was the lack of a sunroof, which is only available as an option.
Inlay materials look extremely sporty with the M Sport package Design wise, drivers will be faced with a driver-oriented dashboard, as with the sedan. Buttons and controls have been brought down to bare minimum as well, thanks to the iDrive that controls most of the luxury features such as the sat nav, audio and other onboard computer systems. Thus, you'll never feel like you are in a typical luxurious German car that's bombarded by an overabundance of electronics that make you feel like a nanny is trying to drive your car.
The boot department is where the 520i Touring excels. While it's merely 560 litres with the rear seats up, it increases a couple of notches to an astonishing 1,670 litres. The space is so vast it's hard to ignore. To this end, the car also offers easy-to-reach handles in the boot that will drop the rear seats flat in a flash.
Even when the rear seats are in place, boot space is vast
Simply put, we reckon no other car in this segment feels quite so upmarket, not even the Audi Avant. The Bavarian marque managed to fuse luxury with utility without coming across as low-rent.
Even when the rear seats are in place, boot space is vast Simply put, we reckon no other car in this segment feels quite so upmarket, not even the Audi Avant. The Bavarian marque managed to fuse luxury with utility without coming across as low-rent.
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The Drive
In the course of our three hour drive on the twisty roads of Thailand, there were moments when we had to remind ourselves that it was a wagon we're in, not a sedan. It was hard, not because it weighs almost a 100kgs more but for the reason that it handles just as well as its sedan counterpart. It's respectively fine in normal driving and on highways and will get up to speeds without even the need to try hard. Once on the twisties, though, the car feels ever so sporty, especially when it's toggled to Sport mode, where suspension stiffens and steering weight heightens.
Other than the lightweight materials used to perfect the car, the new four-pot engine is the main contributing factor for the car's success. Not only is it extremely refined, it's a cracker even on the Bonanza Circuit, where the car was thrown around with reckless abandon.
It feels more powerful and muscular than what you would expect from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant, with an output of 184bhp and 270Nm of torque. On the straights, the 1.7 tonne machine will dispatch of the line with urgency and little fuss to complete the century sprint in 8.4 seconds.
The new 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine is an absolute cracker
Despite its extended rear end, the car has the disposition for a smaller car as it handles quick lane changes accurately and confidently. It never fails to deliver the goods with a sense of occasion, with an unfeasibly wide powerband available at higher revs. It's certainly a strength on which the Bavarian brand sells all its cars on, including the 5 Series Touring.
In the course of our three hour drive on the twisty roads of Thailand, there were moments when we had to remind ourselves that it was a wagon we're in, not a sedan. It was hard, not because it weighs almost a 100kgs more but for the reason that it handles just as well as its sedan counterpart. It's respectively fine in normal driving and on highways and will get up to speeds without even the need to try hard. Once on the twisties, though, the car feels ever so sporty, especially when it's toggled to Sport mode, where suspension stiffens and steering weight heightens.
Other than the lightweight materials used to perfect the car, the new four-pot engine is the main contributing factor for the car's success. Not only is it extremely refined, it's a cracker even on the Bonanza Circuit, where the car was thrown around with reckless abandon.
It feels more powerful and muscular than what you would expect from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant, with an output of 184bhp and 270Nm of torque. On the straights, the 1.7 tonne machine will dispatch of the line with urgency and little fuss to complete the century sprint in 8.4 seconds.
The new 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine is an absolute cracker Despite its extended rear end, the car has the disposition for a smaller car as it handles quick lane changes accurately and confidently. It never fails to deliver the goods with a sense of occasion, with an unfeasibly wide powerband available at higher revs. It's certainly a strength on which the Bavarian brand sells all its cars on, including the 5 Series Touring.
When driven like a gentleman, the Touring's smoothness and comfort is impeccable. Credit goes to the Driving Experience Control which can allow drivers to toggle between four modes: Eco Pro, Normal, Sport and Sport +. Proof of which when we were driving over multiple (and perhaps endless) potholes, the 5er Touring barely vibrated and never once juddered as it absorbed shocks with much pliancy.
Driving Experience Control - to toggle between four driving modes
Conclusion
Perhaps people are more active these days and more space is required in a car to fill their daily needs and wants. Comparing it to its predecessors, the current model situates itself apart from being just a mere rip-off wagon of this era of automotive, providing buyers with exactly what they want - better looks to boast and more space to use.
Make no mistakes - the 520i Touring is a very accomplished car.
Driving Experience Control - to toggle between four driving modes Conclusion
Perhaps people are more active these days and more space is required in a car to fill their daily needs and wants. Comparing it to its predecessors, the current model situates itself apart from being just a mere rip-off wagon of this era of automotive, providing buyers with exactly what they want - better looks to boast and more space to use.
Make no mistakes - the 520i Touring is a very accomplished car.
