BMW5 Series Touring (E34) 1992 - 1997

　　BMW introduced the fourth generation of the 5 Series in late 1987, but it waited until 1991 to unveil the station wagon version, which was available as a 1992 model year.

　　While it was not BMW’s first station wagon vehicle, it was the first based on the 5 Series, and customers loved it because it was a proper sporty family vehicle able to carry many items in its large trunk. The car also impressed customers with its all-wheel drive system available for the 2.5-liter gasoline engine and its fuel-efficient turbodiesel powerplants. Furthermore, most versions could pass the 200 kph (124 mph) mark. In addition, the 5 Series Touring was available with plenty of comfort features and an impressive list of safety features.

　　At the front, the car retained the four-headlights styling as a design signature for the front fascia, similar to its E12 and the E28 predecessors. But that was the only visual connection. Its turn-signal lamps were placed on the outer sides of the front fascia. Furthermore, the lower part of the front bumper could integrate the available squared fog lamps. It was a consistent evolution over the previous generations of the 5 Series and followed the design language initiated by the 1986 BMW 7 Series (the E32).

　　The 1988 5 Series came with a curved body styling, showing saved corners and fewer angular details. It was almost the ‘90s, and the boxy styling of the early ‘80s had already been forgotten. Up to the B-post, the Touring shared its components with its sedan sibling. However, after that, the automaker completely redesigned the vehicle. It extended the roof behind the rear passengers, up to the mid-section of the trunk space. It added a third set of windows next to

　　Inside, the automaker continued the idea of installing a center stack tilted towards the driver. Furthermore, the new dashboard integrated the trapezoidal-shaped instrument cluster filled with BMW’s classic four-dial layout, with a large tachometer and speedometer flanked by smaller gauges for the fuel level and the coolant temperature. Even though it was a station wagon, the car was available with either fabric or leather upholstery. Between the bolstered front seats, the automaker installed a center console that housed the selector for the automatic transmission or the gear stick. In the back, customers could sit on a split-folding (60/40) bench seat that could expand the trunk space from 420 liters (14.8 cu-ft) to 1,670 liters (59 cu-ft).

　　Unlike its sedan sibling, the 5 Series Touring came fitted with inline-six or V8 engines. It was also available with turbodiesel powerplants. Unfortunately, the all-wheel drive system was available exclusively for the 2.5-liter gasoline unit. But still, that didn’t stop customers from choosing it instead of other premium station wagons with traction in all corners. For the rest of the range, all vehicles sent their power to the rear wheels via a five- or six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.