GO TOURING..IN 5-STAR LUXURY; BMW's new estate is serious challenge to rivals.

Byline: By GRAEME LENNOX

BMW face tough competition if they are to win control of the executive estate market. But the new 5 Series Touring looks well equipped to take on rivals such as Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar.

With prices starting at pounds 29,415, the third-generation car goes on sale in May with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines.

In autumn, the range will be boosted further with the addition of one of the most powerful diesel engines available.

While in the past they were shunned, the case for diesel has never been stronger.

The 3-litre version 530d boasts 193bhp and, with a manual gearbox, will propel the car to 62mph in just 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 141mph. The Touring may not be the biggest load lugger money can buy but it does have a completely flat loading area offering 690 litres of space. Folding the rear seats is easy and boosts the available space to a generous 1525 litres.

A retractable cover protects your baggage and the luggage net stops the smaller objects from sliding around on the move.

The handy tailgate allows the driver to access the boot by opening just the glass section, useful if you've parked too close to a wall.

The interior is everything you'd expect of BMW's executive cruiser.

The dashboard and dials are beautifully made and simple to read, providing a digital readout that informs the driver when the next service is due.

Fitted with a leather interior, the 5 Series has the luxury any fat cat boss would demand.

However, the best thing about it is that it feels indistinguishable from the saloon on the road.

Pinpoint steering and superb ride quality mark this car out above the opposition.

The 5 Series driving dynamics are second to none and owners will find themselves coming up with all kinds of excuses to take it for another spin.

All models in the 5 Series line-up come with six speed gearboxes for extra refinement and economy.

A steptronic option is available, as is a sequential box with steering wheel-mounted paddles.

As with its saloon counterpart, safety is paramount. The Touring comes with a variety of driver aids as standard, including traction control and stability measures. BMW's eagerly-awaited head-up display system will make its debut in the autumn.

The system projects a virtual image of important information such as speed directly on to the windscreen in the driver's line of sight.

With the image on the bonnet, the driver does not need to take his or her eyes off the road at all.

Beamer lovers may be tempted to wait for the superb new 535d which arrives in September.

Its 3-litre engine powers the car from 0-62mph in just 6.6 seconds and boasts an impressive 272 bhp almost 70hp more than the current 530d.

A two-stage turbocharger resolves the problem of lag when accelerating and provides an instant kick at low engine speeds. And despite its impressive performance, it still manages to comply with strict European guidelines on emissions.

CAPTION(S):

Power: BMW's; 5 Series Touring