2021 BMW 5-Series Touring [spy shot]

Earlier this week, we got our first look at the 2021 BMW 5-Series sedan through a leaked set of pictures, but the Touring (estate) model has managed to stay hidden – until now. Until the wraps come off the executive wagon too, be it officially or unofficially, we’re stuck with the spy shots and videos that portray the car in different environments, such as the following footage from the Nürburgring.

The sticker applied to the rear bumper says that it’s a ‘hybrid test vehicle’. Look closer and you will see the plug port on the front left fender, but is this the updated 530e PHEV or the rumored 545e xDrive that’s supposed to source the powertrain from the bigger 745e? The latter has 388 HP and 600 Nm of torque, from a straight-six gasoline unit and an electric motor. The former combines a 2.0-liter turbo-four and an electric motor for a total system output of 248 HP and 420 Nm of torque in the current 5-Series plug-in hybrid.

The regular gasoline ICE lineup is understood to add particulate filters to lower the CO2 emissions, and it’s possible that other power units will be introduced in the facelifted 5-Series. Don’t look for an electric variant yet, because it’s said to be reserved for the next generation, which is probably 2 or 3 years away. The visual revisions of the updated iteration will be subtle, as they will include the usual new headlamps and taillights, refreshed bumpers and perhaps a slightly modified grille that won’t be oversized, fortunately.

Things will be kept simple inside as well, where the only changes should involve the new software of the infotainment system and new buttons added to the steering wheel. If BMW sticks to the plan, then look for the 2021 5-Series in showrooms before the end of this year. The Touring variant won’t make it Stateside to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but we will still be able to buy the sedan, which starts at US$ 53,900 for the base rear-wheel drive 248 HP 530i. The xDrive 530i is also offered, alongside the 530e PHEV and M550i, as well as the menacing M5 and M5 Competition.