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Virtual facelift puts the spotlight back on the performance wagon
In an era dominated by crossovers and SUVs, there's a strange comfort in choosing something different: a sedan, a hatchback, or — if you really want to stand out — a station wagon. Once the butt of jokes about soccer moms and grocery runs, the estate car has evolved into a niche of taste and practicality for drivers who value both cargo space and dynamic performance.
That niche is where the BMW M5 Touring stakes its claim. Although station wagons are increasingly rare in North America, high-performance estates — think Audi RS 6 Avant or the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon — still turn heads. And the G99 BMW M5 Touring, with its blend of daily usability and blistering pace, has become a standout for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
CGI concept by kelsonik: what changed?
Digital artist Nikita Chuicko, better known online as 'kelsonik', recently released a fan-made CGI refresh for the G99 M5 Touring. This is not a factory facelift — it’s an imaginative render — but it highlights how subtle styling tweaks can sharpen the wagon's presence.
Key visual changes showcased in the render:
- Larger Y-spoke black wheels to better display crimson brake calipers
- Slimmer LED headlights with horizontal DRLs replacing vertical elements
- Narrower kidney grilles for a sleeker front profile
- Redesigned bumper with revised side air intakes and glossy black accents
These updates give the M5 Touring a slightly more aggressive, modern face while keeping the overall silhouette familiar. The result feels like an evolutionary rather than revolutionary update — which suits the latest 5 Series family that many describe as conservative compared with BMW's more polarizing designs.
Performance and drivetrain — unchanged but potent
No matter what the render proposal shows, the mechanical heart remains the same in this imagined refresh: the M5 Touring keeps its plug-in hybrid layout centered around an electrified 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with an 18.6 kWh battery. That powertrain produces a combined output of around 717 horsepower, delivering the kind of straight-line performance and usable electric range that make the M5 Touring a compelling alternative to performance SUVs and four-door rivals.
Highlights:
- Powertrain: 4.4L twin-turbo V8 + electric motor (PHEV)
- Battery: 18.6 kWh (plug-in hybrid)
- Combined output: ~717 hp
Market context and appeal
Why do CGI renderings like this matter? For one, they keep conversation alive around body styles that mainstream buyers often overlook. They also help designers and fans test ideas without the expense of real-world development. In markets where wagons are rare — notably parts of North America — high-performance estates are seen as collector-worthy anomalies, combining practicality with sports-car character.
For buyers choosing between an RS 6 Avant, an AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon, or the M5 Touring, the decision often comes down to brand preference, ride character, and how much daily cargo utility matters. The M5 Touring’s PHEV setup offers a modern twist: electric assist for improved fuel economy and instant torque mixed with the visceral sound and power delivery of a big V8.
Final thought
Is kelsonik’s imagined facelift a hit? That will depend on taste. The tweaks are tasteful and believable — the kind of mild evolution BMW could plausibly adopt — but they remain artistic speculation. Still, renderings like this keep the station wagon conversation lively and remind us why these practical performance machines still have a passionate following.
Quote: 'Wagons may be rare, but when they're this capable, they never go out of style.'
What do you think — would you prefer this refreshed look on the road, or are you happy with the production M5 Touring as it stands? Share your thoughts.
Source: autoevolution
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