The whispers started as rumors, grew into fervent hopes, and finally coalesced into reality: the BMW M5 Touring (G99) is here. A high-performance station wagon from Bavaria, coming to North America for the first time; it’s already a unicorn in the automotive world. But there is a version of this ultimate daily driver that transcends mere rarity: the G99 M5 Touring in Dakar Yellow.
This combination isn’t just a car; it’s a defiant statement, a vibrant nod to BMW M history, and a piece of rolling exclusivity that makes it one of the most special vehicles on the road today.
The Rarity of the G99 M5 Touring
First, let’s establish why the G99 M5 wagon is rare in its own right. Historically, the M5 Touring has been a fleeting pleasure:
- E34 Generation: Only 891 units were produced.
- E61 Generation (V10): A mere 1,025 units were made.
These low production figures turned the previous M5 Tourings into instant collector’s items. The G99, while expected to be more popular, is still a Touring model; a niche within a high-performance segment.
In a world dominated by SUVs, an M-car wagon is an enthusiast’s choice, a knowing wink to those who appreciate that ultimate blending of practicality, luxury, and supercar-shaming power (717 hp from the M Hybrid V8 system, by the way). This is a heavy-hitting performance car that can haul the kids, the dog, and a week’s worth of luggage at warp speed.
🎨 The Significance of Dakar Yellow
Now, let’s talk about color. While the G99 M5 Touring is available in a host of factory and Individual shades, Dakar Yellow (color code 337) is where the magic happens.
Dakar Yellow is not just a bright color; it is a heritage color deeply ingrained in the BMW M legend.
- A Blast from the Past: Dakar Yellow rose to fame on the legendary E36 M3. It was the quintessential ’90s M color: bold, aggressive, and impossible to ignore. Choosing Dakar Yellow on a modern M car is a deliberate act of reverence for the golden era of BMW M design.
- The Individual Touch: Dakar Yellow is part of the coveted BMW Individual palette, a selection of unique colors that require a special ordering and approval process. This immediately separates the car from the standard shades. The final production number of G99 M5 Tourings in this specific hue will be minuscule, It’s the only one globally currently; making it a true 1-of-1 car.
💻 The Digital Transformation: ECU and TCU Tuning
The G99 M5 Touring utilizes a highly sophisticated M Hybrid V8 (S68) engine, factory-limited by parameters designed to meet global emissions standards and preserve a conservative factory warranty window. ECU (Engine Control Unit) and TCU (Transmission Control Unit) tuning unlocks the true, aggressive potential of this powerhouse. Unlocked by Femto, and remote tuned; Our custom SMS tune will allow the new mods to bring power to the forefront of this wagon’s brain.
ECU Tuning (Engine Performance)
- Increased Power Output: The factory 717 hp is merely a starting point. ECU remaps strategically increase the boost pressure from the twin-turbochargers, optimize the fuel delivery (air-to-fuel ratio), and advance ignition timing. This typically pushes the S68 engine into the 800+ horsepower range, unleashing substantial gains in both horsepower and torque.
- Sharpened Throttle Response: Factory software can often feel slightly subdued, prioritizing comfort. A tune refines the electronic throttle map, eliminating lag and providing a more immediate, linear, and visceral response to driver input.
- Optimization for Mods: Crucially, a proper ECU tune is necessary to maximize the benefits of the aftermarket downpipes and intakes, ensuring the engine safely capitalizes on the increased airflow and reduced back pressure.
TCU Tuning (Gearbox Performance)
The G99 M5 uses a highly capable ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, but the factory programming is conservative. TCU tuning elevates its performance to match the engine’s new ferocity.
- Faster, Firmer Shifts: The tuning reduces the shift time significantly, providing near-instantaneous gear changes that translate directly into faster acceleration times. The shifts become noticeably more aggressive and direct, especially in Sport+ or manual modes.
- Increased Torque Limits: The factory TCU software imposes torque limits, especially in lower gears, to protect the drivetrain. Since ECU tuning massively increases engine torque, the TCU tune is essential to raise these limits, allowing the full power to be delivered through the gears without intervention.
- Optimized Launch Control: The car’s Launch Control system can be optimized for higher RPM launches and better traction management, allowing the tuned wagon to make the most of its all-wheel-drive system for brutally quick takeoffs.
In short, the tuning is the harmonizer. It takes the added mechanical aggression from the hardware (exhaust, intake) and the sharpened dynamics from the suspension, and ties them together with explosive, seamless power delivery.
🚀 Unleashing the Beast: Hardware Upgrades
With the software now optimized, the physical upgrades combine to create a bespoke driving experience.
| Upgrade | Functional/Aesthetic Change | Impact on the Vehicle |
| Eventuri Carbon Intakes | Improves airflow into the M Hybrid V8. | Induction Sound & Efficiency: Adds a deep, satisfying induction “whoosh” and improves thermal efficiency for denser, cooler air. |
| Evolution Racewerks Downpipes & Valvetronic Exhaust | Replaces restrictive components and adds controlled sound via valves. | V8 Sound & Power: Drastically transforms the exhaust note from subdued to a ferocious roar, adding significant power by removing major flow restrictions. |
| AST Lowering Springs | Reduces the gap between the tire and the fender; lowers the center of gravity. | Handling & Stance: Creates an aggressive, squat stance and improves handling by reducing body roll, making the heavy wagon feel more agile. |
| SMS Carbon CF Hood | Replaces the heavy factory hood with a lightweight composite panel. | Aesthetics & Weight: A bold visual statement. Sheds weight from the highest point of the car, slightly benefiting handling and acceleration. |
✨ A Symphony of Exclusivity
The Dakar Yellow G99 M5 Touring, modified with performance hardware and optimized with software tuning, is no longer just a rare factory car; it is a meticulously engineered, personalized masterpiece.
- Rarity of the Model: It’s an M5 Wagon: the ultimate sleeper.
- Rarity of the Color: It’s painted in a highly coveted Individual Heritage Color.
- Personalized Performance: It features a select suite of hardware and ECU/TCU tunes that push its hybrid V8 well into supercar power territory while transforming its sound, stance, and driving dynamics.
This Dakar Yellow M5 Touring is a pure enthusiast’s dream: functional, ferocious, and visually defiant. It is a genuine 1-of-1, a vibrant testament to the owner’s passion for speed, heritage, and uncompromising performance.
