Rendered Speculation: BMW F11 M5 Touring

Here is an artist's rendering of a possible F11 BMW M5 Touring model.

Earlier this year we reported that BMW had canceled plans for a Touring variant to the upcoming M5 but BMW has never confirmed that there definitely wouldn't be one.

This rendering of a possible M5 Touring was done by artist Jon Sibal, and it imagines an M5 which closely resembles the new 5-Series, which makes it seem rather close to what BMW would do if it went ahead and made a Touring variant for the next M5.

BMW has only just released the latest generation of its cash-generating 5-Series and word on what the next M5 will look like is a long way away. This rendering can give us a good idea, though.

The next-generation M5 is expected to debut near the end of this year (2010). It will come with a 4.4 liter bi-turbo V8 engine with around 585 PS (578 bhp / 431 kW) and a torque rating of 720 Nm (531 lb-ft). Horsepower and torque will be increased by 30 and 40 percent, respectively, over the previous M5. Perhaps, the horsepower wars are not over quiet just yet.

But the new M5 promises to be a greener machine. BMW claims it will sport 30 percent less fuel consumption than its predecessor (24 mpg or 9.8 liters/100 km) with a similar reduction in CO2 emissions.