C ar S cene I nvestigation: BMW 535i Touring

As promised, after releasing the ever-popular 5-series sedan, BMW promised a sexy touring version. And indeed—they have.

· Design & Engineering:

From the outside, the touring version would be referred to in layman terms as: a standard saloon, with a stretched rear. Yes and no. In essence, yes, but in terms of technicality, no. Like the sedan, the Bimmer sports a dreamy sort of bonnet, with a mix of sharp and sensual lines. Bold fronts and a good stature mature the vehicle even more. Nowadays, BMW has rid of the standard circular Corona lights—and has switched to a piercing white light instead. Step towards the side, and be amazed, as the touring reveals its secret up its sleeve, extending the vehicle to a considerable size. Large 18/19-inch wheels fill up the cavernous wheel arches, providing for that Bavarian look and feel. From the rear, being the twin-turbo charged model, the 535i touring sports two chromed exhausts, invoking one’s sense of sportiness. Unlike other car makers, BMW manages to make their touring series as good looking, or possibly better looking than the original sedan itself. This proves to show that a touring sized vehicle need not be associated with the everyday housewife, but rather with the avantgarde businessman.

· Interior

Imagine 5-series interior. Now take it from the saloon, and seam it into the touring 535i. Indeed, the 5-series touring sports an identical interior with the 5-series saloon. Nevertheless, take in the beautifully crafted interior, with the high-gloss array of wood reflecting your personal reflection. As usual, the Bimmer’s steering wheel has that classical ‘squishy’ feel, and comes with paddle shifters, as another option to control the 8-speed, twin-turbo charged engine. Unlike the previous generation, the current 5-series displays an almost on par, 7-series interior, with items such as door paneling laden with leather and wood. The 5-series now features a luxurious style of carpeting, with a mixture of carpet and suede—all soft to the touch and available in colours of your choice. At the rear, space is as comfortable as ever, with dual zone climate control available for rear passengers. As a hollow is now featured at the rear of the 5-series touring, rear passengers will feel less claustrophobic, more so with the optional panoramic sunroof overhead. Obviously, the 535i touring rises to the occasion with its vast rear boot space. In the boot area, user-friendly features such as a one-touch cache, folds the rear seats down with ease. This allows a couple of golf bags to be thrown into the rear, along with say a tricycle, and an array of grocery bags. Fuss free, and as practical as ever, the touring satisfies all the taste buds of an interior critic. Check mark right there.

· Ride & Handling

Despite the 70kg weight increase, the Bavarian wagon impresses, and skates over ice—literally propelling forward as if riding on silk. Compared to Volvo’s flagship V70, Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class Estate, and Audi’s A6 Wagon (~2011 model), the 5-series touring reaches the 100km/h mark, in an understated 6.1 seconds, compared to 7.7 from Volvo. With 306 horsepower on tap, the BMW surges past multiple cars without much fuss. Unlike competitors such as, per say Volvo’s V70, the 5-series touring handles corners and potholes with ease, due to well controlled body control, a fine-tuned suspension, and an effective steering. Although at low speeds, the turbo doesn’t quite kick in, providing slight frustration at times. Nevertheless, once pass 3500 RPM’s, the turbos kick in, propelling the vehicle forward. Being a thoroughbred German, the BMW excels in noise insulation and ride comfort. In a nutshell, this slinky touring vehicle slinks past competition with mind-blowing speeds.

· Verdict

The 535i touring, proves that practicality can come in smaller packages, vis-à-vis SUV’s, MPV’s, and the like. Great build quality, amazing looks, and sensual performance. Watch out for the arrival of Audi’s new A6-touring, expected to make its debut soon. As for the E-Class Estate, the only means of competition lies in the E63 AMG.