The BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring has just been launched in Thailand. First introduced globally last year, the first-ever M3 Touring is now offered in the Land of Smiles for THB10,399,000 (approximately RM1,339,102).
On the outside, the performance-oriented wagon features BMW’s frameless kidney grille, with large side intakes as well as sculpted wheel arches. The M3 Competition M xDrive Touring also comes with extended side skirts which, together with the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons, form a Black high-gloss band around the whole of the car.
Other features found on the outside of the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring are the M gills in the front side panels and the exhaust tailpipes. No matter the exterior colour chosen, the M3 Touring will come standard with a roof finished in black high-gloss. The roof rails and the Gurney air-directing flap on the roof spoiler are also painted in the same shade.
Just in case black roofs aren’t up your alley, the roof can opt to be painted according to the body colour. An M Carbon exterior package is also available as an option to spice up the sportiness of the car even further.
As standard, the BMW M3 Touring is fitted with forged M lightweight alloy wheels, measuring 19 inches at the front, and 20 inches at the rear. Track tyres are available as an option, and the optional M carbon ceramic brakes can also be ordered as an alternative to the standard M Compound braking system. The M3 Touring is also fitted with adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers out of the factory.
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Powering the performance wagon is a 3-litre 6-cylinder with M TwinPower Turbo petrol engine. Mated to an M Steptronic 8-speed automatic transmission with Drivelogic, the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring is capable of pushing out 510 hp (metric) and 650 Nm of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels, via BMW’s M xDrive All-Wheel Drive system, which comes with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint can be done in 3.6 seconds while going from stationary to 200 km/h can be done under 12.9 seconds. For those who desire even higher speeds, the M Driver’s Package is also available as an option, which increases the electronically limited top speed from 250 km/h to 280 km/h.
The M3 Touring’s AWD setting can be selected via its Setup Menu, which provides the option of an even more intense experience with the M xDrive system’s rear-biased tuning. The M-specific control/operation system includes the Setup button, which provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system, and M xDrive. BMW M3 Touring drivers can also choose between the Road, Sport and Track settings.
Drivers of the M3 Touring are also given the choice of switching off the car’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to enable the 2WD mode or pure rear-wheel drive. With the 2WD mode, drivers are given the freedom to adjust the intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation through ten stages in order to carefully approach the physical limits under hard cornering on the track.
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Inside the M3 Touring features BMW’s Curved Display. This fully digital screen grouping essentially consists of a 12.3-inch information display and also a 14.9-inch control display. The information display is in charge of displaying driving information, while the control display shows M-specific widgets, with information on the car setup and tyre condition via its home screen. On top of that, a BMW head-up display is also offered as an option.
As a modern BMW, the performance wagon comes with the latest generation BMW iDrive. Based on the BMW Operating System 8, the BMW iDrive allows users to interact with it via touch control and voice command. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported.
Other features that come with the M3 Touring as standard include three-zone automatic climate control, the BMW Live Cockpit Plus, the BMW Maps navigation system, ambient lighting as well as the Harman Kardon sound system. The electrically adjustable M Sport seats with memory function and seat heating plus Merino leather trim also come with the M3 Touring out of the factory.
Safety-wise, the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring is specified with a series of automated driving and parking systems. This includes Front Collision Warning (FCW), Speed Limit Display (SLD) with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Park Distance Control (PDC).
Optional safety features are also offered by BMW, which consists of Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function. Traffic Light Detection and Active Navigation, as well as Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, are available as well.
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