I concede that most people probably don’t share the same enthusiasm, but wagons (estates) make me unreasonably happy, and this one even more so because this isn’t just any regular wagon – it’s the first ever BMW M3 Touring in the history of the company, in actual production form at least.
The Touring body style will join the regular cast of the M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe, as well as the M4 Convertible, albeit at a later date than all of the aforementioned, as it is still currently in the early stages of its development. The BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe is due for launch in September, while the Convertible will follow next year.
Just like the rest of the crew, the M3 Touring will also be powered by BMW’s S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine, available in the standard tune of 480 hp, or in Competition form which brings the output to 510 hp.
The “regular” M3 and M4 is available with either an eight-speed automatic transmission (gone is the previous dual-clutch unit) or a six-speed manual gearbox, but the Competition models are only available with the former. It does, however, get the xDrive all-wheel drive system as standard.
Expect to see the camouflaged BMW M3 Touring undergoing road testing in the coming months as it prepares to take on the Audi RS4 Avant and the Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. BMW M says that the new M3 wagon will also undergo the same testing and tuning process at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, because “the first BMW M3 Touring is, after all, first and foremost a BMW M3”.
It’s unclear if BMW Malaysia will be bringing in the M3 Touring over to our shores, but seeing that the wagon body style doesn’t get as much love here, chances are probably slim – we don’t even get the regular 3 Series Touring here. But of course, anything is possible with enough money, probably.
