Road test: BMW 520d M Sport Touring - Mix pleasure with business
BMW 520d M Sport Touring. Photo supplied
IF your ideal executive estate is one that has loads of space and oozes class inside and out, it could be one of a number of, mostly German, rivals. Add to the mix that it is also great to drive, then it’s likely to be wearing the blue rondel badge.
The BMW 5 Series Touring may not be the most spacious or the best seller in its class (traditionally the domain of the Audi A6 Avant), but it would be expected to offer peerless driveability, the optimum mix of pleasure with business.
The business part is two-fold - firstly, in its role of transporting passengers and apparel in great comfort and then, given its efficiency, an appealing motor in corporate land.
You’d want your exec estate to look the business, too. In this regard the 5 doesn’t disappoint, sculptured as it is to be more dynamic than its predecessor.
More dramatic styling, especially on the M Sport variant on test, coupled with the sloping rear roofline, create an engaging silhouette - a car you’d be pleased to “greet” on a daily basis.
But for all the Touring’s attractiveness, it also has to cut the mustard as a load lugger. Function follows form in a Touring that is even more practical than before.
It provides innovative storage solutions such as 40/20/40 near flat-folding rear seat backrests, a luggage load cover that retracts and lowers automatically with the tailgate and an independent self-opening rear window for ease of loading smaller items - unique in this market. In addition, there are a number of small, but essential, details such as a side strap, netted compartment and lashing points, that seem to cover all bases when it comes to loading matters. All that in the 5’s largest ever load capacity, 560 litres extending to a maximum of 1,670 litres.
All models feature double wishbone front suspension while self-levelling air suspension at the rear ensures that heavy loads do not affect the Touring’s ability to deliver the best of agility and composure.
Inside the latest 5, it’s a classy environment, where everything feels so so solid. I defy you to detect any rattles or squeaks Dakota leather upholstery - standard in what is the company’s highest ever level of specification - blends well with Anthracite wood in the dashboard, centre console and door panels.
BMW offers Auto Start-Stop when mated to six-speed manual transmission - a first in class - great for eking out ever more miles per gallon.
But I was at the “beck and call” of a Sport eight-speed automatic transmission, a slick and effortless ratio shifter.
The lump under the bonnet was the 2.0-litre diesel engine, favoured by some 40 per cent of buyers, and you can readily appreciate why.
Its 181bhp of power is sufficient to give plenty of pace and, accompanied by its great swathes of torque, in a quiet and refined manner. And given its extended wheelbase, greater interior comfort, too.
The Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) chassis configurator allows you to fine tune your chassis setting, Normal, Sport or Sport+.
Inside the M Sport, its sports-style seats and steering wheel, coupled with sports suspension, add even more edge to the drive.
Now that’s what I call mixing pleasure with business.
Fact file
Model: BMW 520d M Sport Touring.
Price on the road: £35,120.
Drivetrain: 2.0-litre diesel engine developing 181bhp and torque of 280lb ft.
Performance: 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds, and maximum speed 138mph.
Economy: Combined 55.4mpg. CO2 134g/km.
Size: Length 4,907mm, width 2,094mm, height 1,462mm.
Insurance: Group 33.
Warranty: Three years/unlimited mileage, 12 years’ anti-corrosion.
Local dealer: Sycamore BMW, Papyrus Road, Werrington, Peterborough. Tel: 01733 707070.
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