The dream of BMW fans has come true. Enthusiasts who craved a compact yet sporty family station wagon have so far had to turn to competitors from Ingolstadt or Stuttgart. But the new BMW M3 Touring is rewriting history.
Even if the division M celebrates its 50th anniversary this year never gave birth to the M3 Touring. This although he introduced the concept of such a car as early as 2000, again based on the E46 generation. However, this belongs to the past, as the M3 Touring will have its world premiere at the Goodwood Speed Festival. An ideal event for a car that will bring the family, but also offers 510 horsepower output.
The new M3 Touring is based on the current M3 generation, but has something more to it than it. It incorporates all the innovations of the 3 range models, which BMW introduced just a few weeks ago. The M3 Touring demonstrates its “brutality” with its frameless vertical kidneys and widened openings for aggressively shaped bumpers.
The series has not only extended black sills, but also a glossy black roof, finished with a spoiler with a Gurney bar. There are ventilation holes on the front fenders, 19-inch M discs and 20-inch rear discs from which the red brake calipers protrude. At the rear, four gigantic black tailpipes are integrated into the diffuser.
BMW M3 Touring, there is also the new Curved Display
The interior can already count on a new eighth generation infotainment system. In front of the driver is the BMW Curved Display, which are two curved screens with a diagonal of 12.3 and 14.9 inches covered with a common glass. Their graphics are specially designed for the M3 and include telemetry features such as lap time measurement or the M Drift Analyzer. A head-up display is also available at an additional cost. For the sporty character, the M seats were chosen, and the M steering wheel covered in Merino leather.
The atmosphere is complemented by a black ceiling. However, the M3 Touring is still a practical station wagon. Its trunk already has a base of 500 liters and after folding the backrests, divided in a ratio of 40:20:40, will offer up to 1,510.
There are also modifications in the form of sliding rails that prevent baggage or net from moving unintentionally.
Under the front hood there is the in-line 6-cylinder 3.0 TwinPower Turbo, developed by the M division. This features modifications that guarantee perfect cooling and lubrication even with heavy overloads on the circuits. The output of 510 hp, or 375 kW, corresponds directly to the BMW M3 Competition, so that the M3 Touring compensates for a slightly higher weight.
In combination with the automatic gearboxo 8-speed M Steptronic, which must manage up to 650 Nm, the M3 Touring sprints to 100 km / h in 3.6 seconds and double 12.9. The maximum speed is limited to the mandatory 250 km / h, but with the M Driver Package the M3 Touring allows you to reach a good 280 km / h.
Passengers can enjoy a wide range of services. The series includes three-zone air conditioning, BMW Maps navigation, mood lighting and premium audio.
Safety is ensured by monitoring pedestrians and cyclists, staying in the lane and many other elements to support driving. For example, an automatic parking assistant, which manages fully automatic maneuvers that can park the car from a distance of 50 meters. Customers will be able to order the M3 Touring starting in September. The first vehicles will be delivered by BMW in November. Prices have not been announced.