The 2025 BMW M5 Touring has claimed the top spot among station wagons at Car and Driver ‘s 2026 Lightning Lap competition, recording a lap time of 2:55.0. Despite being one of the heaviest contenders, it outpaced the Audi RS6 Avant, solidifying its place at the top of the wagon leaderboard.
Power and Performance
The M5 Touring packs a formidable punch with 717 horsepower from a combination of a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 (577 hp) and a 194-hp electric motor. This power, paired with rear-biased all-wheel drive, allows for controlled powersliding through corners, making the vehicle surprisingly fun to drive despite its substantial weight (5477 lbs). The car reaches 156.5 mph on the Front Straight – the sixth fastest speed of this year’s competitors, and 5.4 mph faster than the Audi wagon.
The Challenge of Weight
The M5 Touring nearly secured the title for the heaviest Lightning Lap contender, falling just 12 pounds short of the Audi RS Q8’s 5489-pound record from 2022. Removing optional features like the carbon-ceramic brakes (an $8500 saving) or the tow hitch would likely make it the heaviest machine ever to complete a lap. However, the car handles this weight remarkably well, with carbon-ceramic brakes providing exceptional stopping power when entering Turn 1.
Tire Performance and Dynamics
The Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires, marked with a high-load (HL) prefix, deliver impressive grip, achieving 1.03 g’s through the first turn. Still, the combination of speed and mass stresses the tires, leading to reduced grip as they heat up, particularly through demanding sections like NASCAR Bend. Aggressive braking is essential for navigating the hard right-hander at the end of the Back Straight to avoid overshooting the turn-in point.
Straight-Line Advantage
The M5 Touring’s dominance stems from its straight-line speed. The BMW gained nearly two seconds over the Audi due to superior performance on the Front, Climbing Esses, and Back straights. Specifically, a 1.0-second advantage was achieved between Oak Tree corner and the apex of Bitch.
“If it weren’t for the M5’s speed advantage on the long straights, the Audi would be the top wagon in Lightning Lap history.”
The 2025 BMW M5 Touring’s performance proves that speed can overcome weight, making it the undisputed champion of station wagons at Lightning Lap 2026. With further refinement and weight reduction, its lead could grow even wider.
