New car: BMW 5 Series Touring

The 2017 5 Series Touring follows its fifth-generation sedan counterpart (first seen October 2016) in receiving a relatively minor and very conservative update in design terms.

Images released in advance of its unveiling at the Geneva motor show hint at the revised surfacing and contouring; its D-pillars are heavily raked for a fastback-style rear window, with separately-opening tailgate glass. The rear lights take a similar form to the sedan’s, wrapping under the trunk opening and subtle rear spoiler in much the same way.

Trunk capacity has grown to up to 570 litres, and up to 1700 litres with rear seats folded, and payload has also been increased. A redesign of the load compartment cover and luggage partition net contains them in separate stowaway cartridges under-floor; there is also remote-powered backrest release and automatic tailgate operation, with optional hands-free opening and closing.

As in the sedan, the IP is now less aggressively upright, and there’s the new freestanding flatscreen display. BMW is also claiming greater head-, shoulder- and legroom, plus redesigned rear seats with longer surfaces, improved backrest contours and more kneeroom, as well as upgraded soundproofing.

The rear compartment also now accommodates up to three child seats, an important advance in the traditional station wagon sector given the competition from bulkier SUVs and crossovers.