The 2017 Geneva International Motor Show is coming in March. BMW is planning to be well represented in Switzerland, and its theme this year will be sustainable mobility, along with highlighting the company's current catalogue. BMW is pretty excited about one new model in particular that will receive its world premiere in Geneva. Sadly, it's a model we can appreciate, but not really share in the excitement since it is not destined for sale in the U.S.
The all-new G31 BMW 5 Series Touring will take center stage on the BMW stand at Geneva, as the wagon makes its official debut.
BMW Tourings have always been popular in Europe and the G31 should be no exception. It is the perfect mid-sized vehicle for people who love cars—not SUVs—but still need extra room in the back. The new 5 Series Touring is slightly larger outside than its predecessor but the interior is noticeably more spacious. Passengers will have more room and rear-seat passengers especially will feel more pampered with better audio and an emphasis on comfort.
The new BMW 5 Series Touring has about 20 cubic feet of cargo space over and above the volume consumed by a full load of passengers. That's about a third of a cubic foot more than the previous 5 Touring. Fold down the rear seats and that cargo space jumps to around 60 cubic feet.
BMW is even bragging that up to one-liter beverage bottles will fit in the doors and the center cup holders are also larger than before. When did you ever think larger cup holders would be one of BMW's selling points?
The 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backs may be raised and lowered at the touch of a button. Adjustable tilt angle is optional. The rear window opens separately from the automatic tailgate. Comfort Access—also optional—allows drivers to do the hands-full folk dance to open the tailgate with their feet.
Sales of new Tourings will start in June 2017 in those parts of the world fortunate enough to be able to buy them. At the start, new owners may choose from four powerplants, and two of the four will come with xDrive. Fuel consumption and emissions are about 11 percent lower than the last 5 Touring due to better aerodynamics, lower overall weight, and more efficient engines.
The new Touring will come with a self-leveling rear air suspension as standard, while Dynamic Damper Control, Adaptive Drive with active body roll stabilization, Integral Active Steering, and an M Sport suspension are optional.
The same new touchscreen display, Gesture Control, updated Head-Up Display, and driver assistance systems available on the G30 5 Series Sedan may be had on the wagon.
Elsewhere on the BMW stand at Geneva, a new limited-run special edition of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will dazzle the visitors. For the first time, the world will officially see the BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Black Edition with its special paint and bespoke interior styling. If Protonic Frozen Black doesn't do it for you, wait a few months for the next limited run i8—the BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition.
Back at Geneva, BMW will show off the latest tweaks to the BMW 4 Series Coupes, Convertibles, and Gran Coupes. The exterior is a little edgier, the chassis is more finely tuned and possibly a bit stiffer, the car has new air intakes and rear aprons, and LED headlights and rear lights are standard features.
The newest 4 Series will be fitted with the newest iDrive operating system that will display the menu as tiles if the driver wishes. The Multifunctional Instrument Display will be available on the 4 Series as an option.
Expect to see a full lineup of BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrids. BMW hit the 100,000 mark in cumulative electrified vehicle sales last year and it wants to sell 100,000 more in 2017.
The Protonic Frozen Black i8 aside, the biggest news from Geneva will be the refreshed 4 Series and, oh yes, the 5 Series Touring we can only admire from afar.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
