Last year, we brought you our first drive of the 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. The hatchback aimed directly at those BMW buyers who didn't want anything to do with an SUV or a crossover, but desperately needed more interior space and flexibility.
In the interim, BMW's announced a more traditional variation on the 5-Series theme, in the form of the 2011 BMW 5-Series Touring. It's stuck to its guns, through--still insisting that the handsome station wagon won't find a place in the U.S. lineup, since the Gran Turismo is filling the flexibility niche.
At the 2010 Paris Auto Show, BMW will continue to tease Americans who want the wagon body style with three new versions, including two diesels. The new drivetrains include a 525d Touring with a 204-horsepower, 3.0-liter diesel in-line six-cylinder, and a 535d Touring with 300 hp and twin turbochargers. The new gas engine has 258 horsepower in the 528i Touring. Two all-wheel-drive versions also will be offered, in the 535i xDrive Touring and the 530d xDrive.
But as is the case with all other Touring models, they're not on the docket for the U.S. or Canadian markets.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2010 Paris Auto Show with High Gear Media through the end of next week.
